Oftentimes deep decay or deep fillings will cause inflammation, creating pressure inside the tooth. Sometimes teeth will become dead due to trauma, deep decay or deep fillings. This can cause an infection in the bone. In both cases, the inside of the tooth needs to be cleaned out, disinfected and filled.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A crown will be necessary following a root canal is completed. Because the root canalled tooth usually becomes brittle over time, a crown is required to give the tooth strength and support.

No. Some teeth have roots so crooked or canals so narrow that the dentist cannot get his or her instruments to the tip of the root. If the nerve cannot be removed completely, the remaining tissue usually dies and becomes nutriment for bacteria and a subsequent abscess. Fortunately, this is seldom a problem.

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.

When a tooth dies on the inside where the nerve is, it becomes an area that is ripe for infection. If left alone, the tooth will become infected and pressure will build up causing a toothache. It is very difficult to treat the inside of a tooth like a regular infection, because blood carrying antibiotics cannot reach inside the tooth to help kill the bacteria.

Losing a tooth can be the beginning of many more lost teeth. Saving the Tooth maintains space, keeps other teeth from shifting, and eliminates the need and cost of a bridge or implant. Although seemingly expensive, it is actually quite cost effective.

Keeping in mind that every case is slightly different from the next, a root canal generally takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. Almost all treatments are completed in one visit. Chronic cases, in which an abscess has developed, will typically be treated in two visits. During the first visit, a medication called calcium hydroxide will be placed in the cleaned pulped spaces and allowed to set for one week.

Yes, only without the nerve, you would not feel it because the nerve acts as an internal warning system. Root canal teeth are not more susceptible to decay than your other teeth, and proper brushing and flossing will help prevent decay. Your family dentist checks your teeth for decay during your six-month checkup. He/she also examines your teeth for broken or loose restorations, cracks, any signs of gum disease (periodontitis), problems with your bite, and performs a cancer screen.

The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. During development of the tooth, these tissues create the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth. After growth and development, the tooth is fully mature and it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

No. While most teeth which have had root canal treatments do need crowns to strengthen the teeth and to return the teeth to normal form and function, not every tooth needing a crown also needs to have a root canal.