What is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment involves the saving of a tooth that is decayed and otherwise would die and have to be removed.
In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and decayed material are removed, and the resulting space is filled with special medicated dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.

Why is it Required?

Root canal treatment is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realised is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.
Root canal treatment, if followed by placement of a crown, is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although, on occasions, a tooth will have to be re-treated due to new infections.

Signs and Symptoms for Possible Root Canal Treatment
• An abscess (or pimple) on the gums
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Severe toothache or pain
• Swelling and/or tenderness
Indications for Root Canal Treatment
• Decay that has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth)
• Infection or abscess that has developed inside the tooth or at the root tip
• Injury or trauma to the tooth such as a crack in the tooth