Root Canals

A root canal is a procedure which removes infected pulp from the interior of a tooth. Root canals save severely infected teeth from needing to be extracted. A root canal is needed when there is an infection within the root of the tooth. The pulp (nerve structure) inside the tooth can become infected with bacteria due to an untreated cavity or trauma to the tooth. This infection can cause the pulp to die and cause pain and swelling. If root canal therapy is not performed on an infected tooth, the infection can become severe enough that the tooth will need to be extracted.