Root canal therapy
Why Might I Need a Root Canal?
The following are the most common causes of damage and infection to the pulp of the tooth in which a root canal may be required:
• Injury to the tooth – such as a fall, or a severe hit to the mouth
• A crack in the tooth
• Severe tooth decay / A deep cavity
If the pulp of the tooth has been damaged and is left untreated for a long amount of time, the infection can spread to other parts of the mouth, can destroy the surrounding bone and teeth, and can cause severe pain.
Root canal therapy is a procedure that is completed when damage or infection extends to the nerve of the tooth. In such cases, patients may experience variable tooth discomfort or pain, and a lingering sensitivity to cold. In root canal therapy, the damaged portion of the tooth is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, disinfected, replaced and then filled with a dental material.
Following root canal therapy, the tooth is then restored with a dental filling or crown for protection and resumption of normal tooth function and appearance.
