Inside each tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When bacteria reach the pulp — due to deep decay, a crack, or trauma — the pulp becomes infected or inflamed. Without treatment, the infection can spread to the surrounding bone.
Signs you may need a root canal:
The tooth and surrounding tissue are thoroughly numbed. You'll feel nothing during the procedure.
A small opening is made in the top of the tooth. The infected pulp is removed and the canals are cleaned and shaped.
The canals are filled with a biocompatible material (gutta-percha) and sealed to prevent re-infection.
Because root-canal-treated teeth can become brittle, a crown is typically placed to protect and strengthen the tooth.
You may experience mild soreness for a few days, which is easily managed with OTC pain relievers. Most patients return to normal activities the next day. The relief from the pre-treatment infection pain is typically immediate.
A tooth treated with a root canal can last a lifetime with proper care — preserving your natural tooth is almost always preferable to extraction and replacement.