Endodontics, or root canal therapy, is performed when the inner wall of the tooth has become infected or damaged. Infection can occur for several reasons, such as a crack or chip in the tooth, internal or deep decay, or an issue with a crown. Surprisingly, the outside of the tooth often appears healthy while being badly damaged inside.
At the centre of your tooth is a collection of blood vessels and nerves that keep your tooth alive and healthy, called the pulp. Since the pulp is connected to the root canal system, infection can spread quickly.
Signs you may have an infection
- Swelling around the tooth
- Sensitivity to temperature
- Pain in the gum area or the tooth itself
The treatment
Your dentist will remove the infected pulp, then clean the root canal system and completely seal it to prevent further damage.
Root canal therapy is the preferred method for treating a badly infected tooth because it saves the tooth. It restores your normal bite and allows chewing while preventing the infection from spreading to surrounding teeth, so there is no need for extraction and replacement with a dental implant or bridge.
When root canal treatment can be done on your tooth, the success rate is approximately 90 percent. Most of the time the procedure can be done with a local anesthetic.