A root canal is a relatively simple procedure that can save a tooth with a diseased nerve. Without root canal therapy, you could lose that tooth.

Root canals typically cause little or no discomfort and can be done in one to three visits to the dentist. 

What necessitates a root canal?

Inside each tooth is the pulp, which is a soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. It lies within the tooth and extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the root in the bone of the jaws. 

When the pulp gets diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If you don’t remove it, pain and swelling can result and your tooth gets infected and you could lose it. After the dentist removes the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then, your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger. 

What kind of treatment is involved?

Treatment often involves one to three visits to the dentist. During treatment, your general dentist or endodontist (a dentist who specializes in problems of the pulp) removes the diseased pulp. The pulp chamber and root canal(s) of the tooth are then cleaned and sealed. 

On the initial visit, here’s what you can expect:

• Local anesthetic usually is given to maintain patient comfort.
• The affected tooth is isolated from saliva with a rubber-like sheet called a dam.
• An opening is made through the crown of the tooth. The pulp is removed and then the root is cleaned and shaped. Medication may be added to the pulp chamber and root canal(s) to help eliminate bacteria.
• A temporary filling is placed in the crown opening to keep saliva out. Antibiotics may be prescribed if an infection is present and has spread beyond the end of the root(s). 

On the second visit:

• The temporary filling is removed.
• The root canal is filled and permanently sealed. 

If an endodontist performs the procedure, he or she usually will send you back to your general dentist for preparation of a crown to be placed on the tooth. Crowns are made from a variety of materials, depending on the location and color of the tooth and the amount of natural tooth remaining. Discuss with your dentist which option is best for you. 

How long does the treatment last? 

If you take care of your teeth and gums, your restored tooth could last a lifetime. However, regular checkups are necessary. As long as the root(s) of a treated tooth are nourished by the tissues around it, your tooth will remain healthy.

Source: American Dental Association