Root canal therapy is a common dental procedure that can be used to both repair and save a tooth that is decayed or infected. During the procedure the tooth’s pulp and nerve are removed, the interior of the tooth cavity cleaned and then sealed back up.
Left alone without treatment, the tooth may abscess, spread infection, and/or reach a state at which point extraction may be the only viable option left. Not to mention you’ll be in a lot of pain.
What’s the Cause?
Sometimes our tooth’s pulp or nerve tissue can become damaged, irritated, inflamed or infected due to decay, chips or cracks in the tooth, physical trauma to the tooth or face, or even from large fillings.
When this happens the area becomes susceptible to bacteria that fester and multiply, causing infections or abscessed teeth.