Root Canal Treatment
Abstract
Root canal treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal, prevent reinfection of the tooth and save the natural tooth. A root canal is a treatment of the pulp of the tooth that is inflamed, infected, or dead.
Clinical Presentation
A tooth's nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed, and infected due to deep decay; repeated dental procedures on a tooth; or large fillings, a crack, or chip in the tooth. It also can happen because of trauma to the face. During a root canal procedure, the pulp of the tooth is removed and the inside is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and an abscess may form.
Treatment
A dentist or endodontist can perform a root canal. Your dentist will take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in a surrounding bone. They’ll use local anesthesia to numb the area near the tooth. You may not need anesthesia since the nerve is dead, but most dentists still anesthetize the area to make you feel more relaxed.