Root Canal Therapy

Root canal treatment (also called endodontic therapy) becomes necessary when decay, a deep restoration, or trauma reaches the pulp of a tooth and the nerve becomes infected. Left untreated, the infection can extend through the root tip and damage the surrounding bone — which is dangerous as well as very painful.

Symptoms may include sensitivity to hot, cold or sweets, pain, swelling, discomfort when biting, or a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all and the problem is found at a checkup.

During treatment we clean out the infected pulp and disinfect the canals, then fill them to prevent further infection. A core build-up and crown are usually recommended afterward to restore full strength to the tooth.