If you’ve ever been told you need a root canal, there's no need to worry as millions of teeth are treated and saved with a root canal each year. A root canal can be prescribed to you for many different reasons. All these reasons lead to the pulp tissue of your tooth being irreversibly damaged.
Each tooth has three layers which consist of enamel, the outermost layer, dentin, and the pulp which contains your tooth's nerve and vascular supply. A cavity, which starts in the outermost layer of your tooth, can eat its way to the middle of the tooth reaching the nerve and causing irreversible damage which can lead to an infection. Trauma can also cause irreversible damage to the pulp, also leading to an infection. Whenever your pulp is irreversibly damaged, it will require a root canal to save the tooth.
Some signs and symptoms that you might need a root canal include severe sensitivity to hot or cold, severe pain when chewing or biting, a cracked tooth, swollen or tender gums, deep decay, or pimples on the gums.
The procedure includes removing the inflamed or infected pulp tissue, cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the tooth, then sealing the tooth with a rubber-like material called gutta percha. The tooth is then built up with a composite type material and then fitted for a crown to protect the tooth from fractures. It is important for your root canals to be completed by a trusted dentist.