Root Canals

Each tooth is filled with living pulpal nerve tissue that extends into the roots. When the internal tissue of the tooth is traumatized or exposed to the external environment, colonizing microorganisms will infect and overwhelm the tooth. This can result in pain or eventual infection, and a root canal is needed to resolve it, otherwise, permanent tooth loss will and jaw bone damage may occur. This can happen through decay or often trauma. To treat this, the dentist will enlarge the canals and irrigate and medicate the inside of the tooth to ensure that all microbes have gone. Once the tooth has been hollowed out and sterilized, it is then filled and sealed to prevent any further decay. A crown must then be placed on top of the root canaled tooth for strength.