Root Canal

Root canal treatments are used as an alternative solution to extracting teeth that have died due to infection or trauma. Teeth that have become abscessed or infected as a result of decay or trauma should not be left untreated – even if there is no pain. Uncontrolled dental infections are known to be a factor that can contribute to the progress of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and pregnancy complications such as premature birth.

A root canal is a treatment of the pulp or “nerve” of the tooth that is inflamed, infected, or dead. The pulp is a soft substance in the centre of the tooth that normally consists of a bundle of nerve fibres, blood vessels and connective tissue. Bacteria from tooth decay, leaking fillings or cracks in teeth can invade the tooth reaching the pulp and causing it to swell, throb and eventually die. The dead tissue forms pus and/or gas that often cannot escape through the tooth and will the travel through the tissues causing pain and swelling. In some cases the infection can affect the heart, brain or kidneys and can be life threatening.

Pain that prevents you from sleeping or wakes you at night can be due to irreversible pulpitis or in other words the nerve is dying and about to from an abscess.