What is root canal therapy?
When the nerve of a tooth is infected, root canal therapy can save the tooth. You may realize you have an infected tooth because it is sensitive to hot and cold. It may cause swelling or pain or you may have no symptoms at all. Deep cavities are the main cause of tooth infection. Deep cavities allow bacteria to get into the pulp chamber and cause an infection. The pulp dies. Trauma can also cause the pulp to die. An infected tooth will never heal on its own. Years ago, an infected tooth will just have to be extracted. But today, we can save your tooth with root canal therapy.
A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form. “Root canal” is the term used to describe the natural cavity within the center of the tooth. The pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the root canal. The tooth’s nerve lies within the root canal. A tooth’s nerve is not vitally important to a tooth’s health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is sensory – to provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth.
