Root canal therapy (also known as endodontics) removes blood vessels and nerves from a tooth which may be infected and/or damaged. It may also be required to remove a "live" nerve from a tooth (sometimes known as "elective" root canal therapy). A root canal infection can be caused by several things including decay, injury and possibly also gum disease. Root canal therapy may be the only way to repair your tooth if it has been badly damaged by infection.
Your teeth have a core of blood vessels and nerves at their centre. This living tissue is called the pulp and is in a space called the root canal. The number of root canals in each tooth varies depending on how far back it is in your mouth. Front teeth often have one root canal, while back teeth may have three or more.
If your tooth is injured or has deep decay, the pulp can be damaged and the blood vessels may die.
A "dead" tooth is likely to get infected. Without treatment, a dental abscess (collection of pus) can form as the bacteria multiply and are forced beyond the end of the root. As the collection of pus is trying to expand within the bone, the tooth may rise slightly out of its socket and feel tender when you bite down.
If left untreated, the infection may spread to the nerves and surrounding tissues and cause nausea, fever and difficulty swallowing.
Your dentist will usually recommend root canal therapy to:
Sometimes a live tooth may have insufficient tooth substance to retain a crown so the tooth may have to have root canal therapy and be restored with a post-retained crown.
Teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy sometimes discolour but you may be able to have treatment to correct this.
There are a number of ways that a tooth's pulp can be damaged.
If tooth decay is left untreated, bacteria can spread into your tooth and infect the pulp. Once this happens, your tooth will need to be treated with root canal therapy to remove the bacteria and damaged pulp.
If you have severe gum disease then your gums tend to pull away from the teeth creating a gap called a periodontal pocket. This pocket traps bacteria, further damaging the supporting tissues of your teeth. Bacteria in deep periodontal pockets may theoretically infect the pulp.
If your tooth is damaged by accident then the pulp may be affected and get infected. For more information on tooth injuries
If your tooth is seriously damaged by decay or injury, or the support of the tooth is compromised by gum disease, then your dentist will discuss whether root canal therapy will be able to repair your tooth. He or she may recommend that you have the tooth taken out instead.
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