ROOT CANAL THERAPY
Each tooth has a blood and nerve supply called the pulp, which is enclosed in the pulp chamber and root canal of the tooth. Bacteria can cause inflammation and infection of the pulp either through decay or through a broken or cracked tooth. These bacteria produce toxins which kill the pulp tissue and which can progress to a severe dental infection or abscess.
In order to save the infected tooth, root canal therapy can be carried out. This removes the bacteria and infected pulp from the tooth and fills the root canals and pulp chamber with a solid filling material.
Root canal therapy allows for the inflammation in the root of the tooth and bone surrounding the root, to heal and therefore the patient can retain the tooth.