Root Canals
Teeth contain nerves and blood vessels and this part of the tooth is called the dental pulp. When a tooth becomes damaged either by a cavity, fracture, a large filling or other injury, the dental pulp can become damaged or infected. The damage to the dental pulp can be slow and sometimes may not be painful right away. Eventually, a tooth with a damaged pulp may cause pain, infection (abscess) or even swelling of the gums or face.
A tooth that has a damaged and infected pulp can often be treated by endodontic or root canal therapy. This treatment involves removing the pulp tissue, cleaning out the bacteria inside and finally filling the tooth to seal it. After the root canal is completed, the tooth is more susceptible to fracture so it is often recommended to protect the tooth with a dental crown or "cap".
If you have any questions, please give us a call and we will arrange a consultation to review the treatment and go over any questions you may have.