Root Canal Treatment

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment (also called endodontic treatment) is the process of removing the pulp (the blood and nerve supply) from an infected tooth and replacing it with filling material.

Why would I need root canal treatment?

The pulp of your tooth can become infected when decay passes right through the hard parts of the tooth into the root canal system in the middle. It can also happen if the tooth is accidentally damaged. When an infection starts it can spread throughout the root canal system inside the tooth, eventually leading to an abscess.

What will happen if I don't have the treatment?

The only other effective treatment option is to extract the tooth. This removes the source of the infection (and if the decay and/or infection has spread too far this may be the only option). However, it is important to keep your own teeth whenever possible. Delaying treatment also reduces the prospect of success and it may prove impossible to save the tooth at a later stage.