What is a root canal treatment and why would I need one?
An endodontic, or root canal procedure is a treatment that involves removing the pulp tissue from the tooth. The pulp tissue contains nerves and blood vessels and is found in the chamber and canal spaces within the tooth. The pulp tissues must be removed when they become infected or irreversibly inflamed. After the removal of the pulp tissue the canal space is filled with a material that fills and seals that space. A tooth with a root canal treatment can remain in the bone socket in a normal and healthy way for a lifetime. Root canal treatments usually become necessary through three pathways. One, a patient may show signs and symptoms diagnostic of infected or irreversibly inflamed pulp tissues. Second, an x-ray may show that a tooth is abscessed even when there are no obvious signs and symptoms. Third, the tooth decay lesion that is being removed during a dental restorative procedure may travel into the pulp chamber.
