A “root canal” is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that has become badly decayed or infected. The procedure entails removing the nerve and pulp of the tooth; after which, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.
 
The pulp, sometimes referred to as the “pulp chamber,” is the soft area within the center of the tooth.
 
The tooth's nerve lies within root canals, which lie within the roots (also known as "legs") of the tooth. The root canals travel from the tip of the tooth’s root into the pulp chamber, which also contains blood vessels and connective tissue that nourish the tooth.
 
A tooth's nerve is not vitally important to a tooth’s health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is sensory — to provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth.

 

Why does the pulp need to be removed?

When nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down into bacteria that begin to multiply within the pulp chamber. The bacteria and other decayed debris can cause an infection or abscess, a pus-filled pocket, which can form at the end of the root. An abscess occurs when infection spreads all the way past the end of the root. In addition to abscess, an infection in the root canal of a tooth can also spur:
 
-Swelling that may spread to other areas of the face, neck, or head.
 
-Bone loss around the tip of the root.
 
-Drainage problems extending outward from the root. (A hole can occur through the side of the tooth with infection spreading into the gums and cheeks.)

 

How painful is the procedure?

Root canal procedures have the reputation of being painful. Actually, most people report that the procedure itself is no more painful than having a filling placed. For more information, schedule a consultation with Polyviou Family Dentistry today.