When tooth decay infects the tooth root, we may recommend root canal therapy to save your tooth from dying and, ultimately, falling out. Our dentists perform root canals to help keep your tooth in place and prevent the need for more invasive and extensive treatments. If a damaged tooth is not treated, tooth loss can occur, leading to additional problems and worsening existing ones.
Root canal treatment, also known as a root canal, is a type of endodontic therapy we often recommend if the inner portion of the tooth — the tooth pulp and nerves — becomes infected or damaged. Damage can be from injury or decay that has reached deep into the tooth, past the outer enamel layer. If the damage is not addressed, infection and disease may cause the tooth to die, in which case it will need to be removed. With a root canal, however, your dentist can restore the health of the tooth and avoid the need for extraction.
