ROOT CANAL THERAPY
When a tooth has been injured or infected, a root canal may be the only form of treatment to avoid extraction. Extensive tooth decay or a major trauma can cause serious damage to the inside of the tooth. A damaged nerve will die, leaving the tooth vulnerable to infection. During the root canal procedure, the dead nerve and any infection is cleaned out. It is then filled with a biocompatible filling material and sealed. Because a tooth that has no nerve will become brittle, a crown is generally recommended to protect the tooth.