Root Canal Treatment

A root canal treatment involves cleaning the inside of the tooth’s root canals and filling them with a special material to prevent bacteria from entering and causing infection.

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Why is a root canal needed?

There are several reasons why a tooth may need root canal treatment:

• A deep cavity (tooth decay)

• A crack or fracture in the tooth

• An injury or infection that has caused the tooth nerve (pulp) to become inflamed or die

In some cases, the tooth may have no symptoms, yet still require treatment because the nerve is already damaged and bacteria have reached the root.

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How the treatment works

• The root canals are carefully cleaned of bacteria and inflamed tissue

• Sometimes an antibacterial medication is placed inside the tooth to work for a few days or weeks before the next step

• The canals are then filled with a root-filling material and the tooth is sealed

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Often, two or more visits are required to complete a root canal treatment, although in some cases it can be done in a single session.

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After the treatment, the tooth may need a crown or other reinforcement, as root-treated teeth can become more fragile over time.