Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve (pulp) of the tooth is affected by decay or infection. The pulp is the soft living tissue inside the tooth that consists of nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue. A root canal procedure involves cleaning the nerve, removing bacteria, shaping the canal and filling the space with a special medicated dental material. Root canal therapy remains a highly successful option for the treatment of teeth that have been damaged by decay, trauma, and infection. Root canal therapy is an effective modality for saving teeth that otherwise would have to be removed.
Signs and symptoms for possible Root Canal Therapy:
- Pain and severe toothache
- Hot and cold sensitivity
- Sensitivity to biting and chewing on the tooth
- Swelling and/or tenderness
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums
Reasons for root canal therapy:
- Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth)
- Infection or abscess have developed inside the tooth or at the root tip
- Trauma or injury to the tooth
- Tooth fracture
