Root Canal Treatment

All of the procedures performed to treat pulp (soft vein-nerve extension) diseases in the tooth are called root canal treatment. Years ago, teeth with diseased pulp were extracted. Today, thanks to root canal treatment, dentists can treat teeth by keeping them in the mouth.

It is a soft tissue that contains vessels, blood cells and connective tissues. It is located inside the tooth and extends from the crown of the tooth to the root tip and jawbone.

When the pulp becomes damaged and sick and cannot heal itself, it dies. Pulp death most often occurs due to a broken tooth or a deep caries. In both cases, bacteria reach the pulp and cause an infection. If this infection is not treated, inflammation accumulates in the root tips and jawbone and pus-filled sacs called abscesses form. These abscesses can progress and destroy the bone tissue around the tooth.

Pain and swelling occur when the inflamed pulp is not removed. By-products of inflammation can damage the jawbones. If treatment is not applied, the tooth goes to extraction.

After appropriate endodontic treatment, lesioned (inflamed) teeth can heal.