If your tooth’s nerve becomes infected by decay, or damaged by trauma, root canal treatment is often the only way to save your tooth.

Inside the outer shell of teach tooth is a specialized area called the pulp or nerve chamber. The pulp chamber contains a system of blood vessels, lymph vessels, the pulp, which enter from the bone through the root canals. This system provides nourishment for the cells within the tooth.

Deep tooth decay or other injury can cause damage to or infection of the tooth pulp. In a root canal or endodontic treatment, the dentist removes the damaged or infected pulp and replaces it with a special filler which helps to maintain the remaining tooth structure.

Some indications that you might need a root canal are as follows:

• spontaneous pain or throbbing while biting
• sensitivity to hot or cold foods
• severe decay or an injury that creates and infection in the bone