Progressive Methods and a Caring Approach
A root canal is needed when the nerve inside the tooth is affected due to decay or infection.
In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the inside of the tooth that contains the nerve and blood vessel tissue) needs to be removed and replaced with medication and special dental materials to restore the tooth.
Signs and symptoms
An abscess on the gums
Sensitivity to hot and cold
Severe toothache
Swelling
Sometimes there are no symptoms and root canal therapy is indicated due to x-ray findings.
Causes
Decay into nerve
Infection into nerve
Injury or trauma to nerve
Treatment
While the tooth is numb, access is created in the tooth and a series of files are used to clean out the infected tissue.
Once clean, the canal can be filled with special dental materials and then a filling is placed on top.
If this is a back tooth, a crown is needed to protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking.
Image credit: Keith S. Tang, DDS