Root Canal Therapy
Root Canal Therapy is necessary when a tooth has a diseased nerve. Inside each tooth is the pulp which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth. The nerve runs like a thread down through the pulp to the root of your tooth. When the pulp or nerve is diseased or injured, the tissue dies. If you don't remove it, your tooth becomes infected and you risk developing a painful infection that might result in the loss of teeth.
During therapy, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Most teeth that have been treated with a root canal will require a crown to prevent breakage. A tooth dries out following the loss of the pulp and can be fractured, even after the root canal has been completed. Care should be exercised before the crown is completed to prevent breaking the tooth in a way that would result in the loss of the tooth.
Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one or two visits. Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile!