Why Must I Need a Root Canal Treatment?
The following are the most common causes of damage and infection to the pulp of the tooth in which a root canal treatment may be required:
- Injury to the tooth – such as a fall, or a severe hit to the mouth
- A crack in the tooth
- Severe tooth decay / A deep cavity
If the pulp of the tooth has been damaged and is left untreated for a long amount of time, the infection can spread to other parts of the mouth, it can destroy the surrounding bone and teeth, and can cause severe pain.
Root canal treatment is a procedure that is completed when damage or infection extends to the nerve of the tooth. In such cases, patients may experience variable tooth discomfort or pain, and a lingering sensitivity to cold. In root canal treatment, the damaged portion of the tooth is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, disinfected, replaced and then filled with a dental material.
Following root canal treatment, the tooth is then restored with a dental filling or crown for protection and resumption of normal tooth function and appearance.
