Root Canals

A root canal is used to treat a tooth’s soft core when it becomes damaged or diseased. This soft core is called the dental pulp and contains the nerves, blood vessels and other connective tissue that extends from the crown of the tooth to the root, down into the jaw bone.

If tooth decay or a crack in a tooth causes an abscess or infection in the dental pulp, it must be treated to prevent further infection and damage to your jaw bone. The treatment is called a root canal and is performed by a general dentist or an endodontist (a root canal specialist).

The diseased or damaged dental pulp is removed, the pulp chamber and the root canal(s) of the tooth are cleaned out and sealed with a temporary filling until a crown can be permanently placed on the tooth. This procedure may take up to three appointments to complete.