Root Canal Treatment or Endodontic therapy is the treatment of pulp or nerve of the tooth affected by decay, infection or trauma. The root canal system of a tooth contains the dental pulp and extends from the crown of the tooth to the end of the root. A single tooth can have more than one root canal. The pulp consists of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue and nourishes the tooth upon its first appearance.

 

An infection of the pulp which can also spread to the end of the root canals resulting in a dental abscess. Causing inflammation and swelling in the tissues around the end of the tooth. This leads to tooth pain and in extreme cases swelling of the face. Extraction of the tooth seems like a simple solution but may cause problems to adjacent teeth such as tilting and drifting. Root Canal Therapy is an attempt to save the infected tooth and mainly involves removal of the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay, filling the root canal with special, medicated, dental materials. Finally sealing the tooth with a filling or crown thus restoring the tooth to it's full function. In most cases, the inflamed tissue at the end of the tooth will heal naturally after the root canal treatment. Root canal therapy may also be indicated in case of trauma and extensive dental restorative work.