What is a root canal?
When the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection, root canal therapy is needed to save the tooth. This involves removing bacteria and any decay in the center of the tooth, then filling the resulting hollow space with a special material designed specifically to be used inside the tooth, as opposed to ‘on top’ of the tooth in the case of a conventional filling.
Having a root canal on a tooth is the preferred option for salvaging a tooth that would otherwise require removal. Root canal therapy is highly successful and is a great option for saving a tooth or alleviating severe, acute pain.
Some Reasons to have a tooth treated with root canal therapy:
- Decay has reached the inside of the tooth
- Infection either inside the tooth or at the root tip
- If a tooth is either cracked or fractured
- Trauma to the tooth
Signs and Symptoms
Although sometimes no symptoms are present, here are some possible signs you might need a root canal:
- Severe toothache
- Hot or cold sensitivity
- An abscess on the gums
- Pain when chewing