Root Canal Treatment

In the past, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you'd probably lose that tooth. Today, with a special dental procedure called “root canal treatment,” your tooth can be saved. 

Inside each tooth is a pulp chamber that contains the nerves and blood supply for the tooth. When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp tissue and  can cause an infection inside the tooth. If left untreated, an abscess may form. If the infected tissue is not removed, pain and swelling can result. It could also lead to a dead tooth that may need to be extracted and can also be detrimental to your overall health.

The infected pulp is first removed from the center of the tooth and the canals of each root. The remaining space is filled with a rubber-based material to seal the gums off. The treated tooth is protected with a tooth-like covering known as a crown. This is because once the pulp is removed, the tooth is more susceptible to fracture.

When a tooth's pulp is infected, it could easily spread and worsen. Having a root canal performed promptly will avoid the spread of infection or the loss of the tooth.