Why is root canal treatment necessary?
Root canal or endodontic treatment (endo-inside, dont-tooth) is necessary when the inside, or pulp of a tooth becomes inflamed or infected. The pulp contains the nerves and blood vessels – essentially they keep the tooth vital (alive). It is through the pulp that temperature and pain are perceived. The inflammation or infection can have many causes but mostly are the result of deep decay or trauma. Q: What are typical symptoms of root canal infection? Depending on the cause, symptoms can be numerous and varied: • Sharp, acute and intense pain, which is difficult to pinpoint • Sharp pain when biting down on your tooth or on food • Lingering pain after eating hot or cold foods • Dull ache and pressure • Tenderness (accompanied by swelling) in the nearby gums Q: How does endodontic treatment save my tooth? The procedure begins by administering a local anesthetic to relieve pain. This will numb the tooth and surrounding area so that the treatment is no more uncomfortable than a filling. A
