Root Canal Treatment
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The aim of root canal treatment (which is also called “endodontic” treatment) is to save a tooth that has been badly damaged due to decay, disease or injury.
This is a common procedure which saves teeth from being extracted. Most patients prefer to save their tooth because generally it will function better than an artificial tooth.
Your own tooth is usually stronger and more efficient for biting and chewing. Cleaning and maintenance of natural tooth are much easier. However good an artificial tooth maybe it will never be more than just a substitute for a real tooth.
Root canal treatment may not be appropriate in some cases, and extraction may be the best, or only option.
Causes of infection or inflammation of the pulp can be caused by:
- Breakdown of a filling or crown
- A deep cavity
- Trauma
- Gum disease
- Crack or chip in the tooth
- Extreme wear
- Extensive dental work to the tooth
Symptoms may include pain, sensitivity to heat or cold, tooth discolouration, and swelling or soreness in the gums surrounding the tooth.
To save the tooth, root canal treatment is needed when the pulp is inflamed or infected.
The sooner this treatment is started the better chances of success.
If the pulp of the tooth is not treated quickly, severe pain and abscesses (infections at the end of the roots) can occur. If an abscess is left untreated, infection can damage the bone surrounding the root. If the tooth does not have endodontic treatment, it will have to be removed.