ROOT CANALS EXPLAINED
A root canal is the common term for therapy that is more properly called endodontic treatment. Endodontic treatment is needed to save teeth with dying or dead pulps (nerves) because such pulps almost always become infected, or abscessed. The only alternative to endodontic therapy in treating an abscessed tooth is extraction. Many things can cause the pulp in a tooth to become diseased and die. The most common cause is a very deep cavity. Other causes include physical trauma or extensive restorations. In many cases, an abscessed tooth results in a painful toothache.
When a tooth becomes abscessed the first step in treating this condition is to get rid of the infection with antibiotics. Final treatment of an abscessed tooth requires elimination of the dead or dying pulp. While antibiotics can remove an infection, as long as its source (the dead pulp in this case) remains, the abscess will recur repeatedly. There are two ways to remove a dead or dying pulp. When a tooth is extracted its nerve is removed with it. Endodontic treatment of a tooth with a dead or dying nerve eliminates the infection while retaining the tooth.
First, any decay present is removed. Then, all the existing nerve tissue in the tooth is removed with a series of small files that increase in size. These files also shape the canals to accept the endodontic filling material. During this phase of endodontic treatment the pulp canals are irrigated with a disinfectant and several x-rays are taken to determine file position in your tooth. The canals will then be filled and the tooth resealed.
At this point the endodontically treated tooth is ready for a final restoration. The one disadvantage of endodontic therapy is that teeth are hollowed out in the process of pulp removal and canal shaping, making them brittle and prone to fracture. Most back teeth, or any front ones that have been extensively restored beforehand, will need a post and core placed to strengthen them and then a crown cemented on for protection. Without completion of this final step in root canal treatment, the future health of the tooth is put into jeopardy.