A tooth consists of outer hard layers and an inner chamber which contains the pulp. The pulp is composed of nerve and blood vessels. The pulp is subject to trauma and infection due to many causes. A cavity can introduce bacteria into the pulp. A sharp blow to a tooth or biting on a hard object can injure the pulp. A deep filling to restore a deep cavity can injure the pulp. When a pulp is injured, it causes a great deal of pain, and can cause the pulp to die.

Underneath your tooth's outer enamel and within the dentin is an area of soft tissue called the pulp, which carries the tooth's nerves, veins, arteries and lymph vessels. Root canals are very small, thin divisions that branch off from the top pulp chamber down to the tip of the root. A tooth has at least one but no more than four root canals. See similar questions...

Root canals like all other dental procedures are performed for specific reasons. Reasons for doing root canals can be infections, fractures or broken teeth, etc. In some instances when a tooth becomes infected the nerve in the tooth may die preventing the tooth from hurting. Even though the tooth may not hurt the infection can get worse and cause very serious problems such as erosion of bone around the root tip and may even spread to other teeth. See similar questions...

Evidence supports performing root canals in one appointment if conditions are favorable. However, if there is infection or uncontrollable bleeding it may best to reappoint and complete the root canal at a later time. See similar questions...

Because the tooth will not heal by itself. Without treatment, the infection will spread, bone around the tooth will begin to degenerate, and the tooth may fall-out. Pain usually worsens until one is forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative is usually extraction of the tooth, which can cause surrounding teeth to shift crookedly, resulting in a bad bite. See similar questions...

Always – No. In instances when a large amount of tooth structure is lost due to decay, then yes the tooth should be protected with an onlay or a crown (generically referred to as a "cap"). If the tooth has an excessively large filling with evidence of fracture lines in the remaining natural tooth structure, and is in a stress bearing area of the mouth, that too is an indication for a crown or onlay. See similar questions...

When the integrity of the inside of your tooth, known as the pulp, is compromised a root canal is the best option. Unfortunately, an infection in the pulp chamber or root canal will not heal, it will only progress. The pulp is comprised of the tooth's nerve and blood supply, and other soft tissues. See similar questions...

Root canal therapy consist of removing the nerve, vein and artery from the root canal system of the tooth. Removing the blood supply from the tooth causes the tooth to become dehydrated. Over time this leaves the tooth brittle and susceptible to fracture and may result in tooth loss. Crowning a tooth following root canal therapy is considered standard of care. See similar questions...

In many cases crowns prevent the need for root canal therapy. However, if the decay or fracture was extensive the nerve can die at any time. Root canals are sometimes necessary after crowns are completed. See similar questions...

Can be effective first x-ray can help to see the condition of root canal. If your teeth clinical condition stand together. We remove the filling on top of root canal. We use whitening in root canal after we fill the root canals again. See similar questions...

We will explain this to you much more in depth when you are at our office, but essentially, a root canal entails cleaning the inner portion of your tooth (the pulp) with small specialized instruments and disinfecting solutions that kill bacteria and remove diseased tissue. Once the roots have been thoroughly cleaned a rubbery, inert, highly biocompatible material called "gutta-percha" is placed as a filling. See similar questions...

Although the thought of a root canal strikes fear in people, it's usually the discomfort that people have before this procedure that they associate with a root canal. A tooth may need a root canal (endodontic therapy) for many reasons. The most common causes are a large cavity, a large filling or a traumatic event that has occurred on the tooth. All of these reasons have caused the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth to become infected. See similar questions...