Root Canal Therapy

Dental pulp, found at the hollow core of each tooth, contains a nerve and blood supply which extend from the root tip to deliver vital nutrients to the tooth in its developing stages. If the pulp is injured, damaged, or infected, the nerve within the pulp will die and unless endodontic treatment (root canal) is performed, the tooth may be lost. Often root canal therapy can save a damaged tooth from infection, thereby preserving it indefinitely.  Typically a tooth with a root canal treatment has had a history of a deep cavity or fracture, resulting in a large filling and tooth weakening.  Thus, after the root canal is successfully completed, covering the tooth with a crown is highly recommended to reduce the risk of loss of the tooth to fracture.