Root canal therapy is an indispensable procedure for treating severely decayed, infected, or broken teeth. It allows the affected tooth to be saved from extraction and preserved for many more years.
The root canal is a naturally occurring space within a tooth, consisting of the pulp chamber, the main canal, and intricate anatomical branches that may connect the root canals to each other or to the root's surface. These smaller branches are most frequently found near the root tip (apex) but may occur anywhere along the root's length.
During the procedure, the dentist accesses the pulp chamber through the crown of the tooth to reach the root canals. The infected nerve tissue is removed, and the canals are shaped using specialized files to smooth the walls and ensure no residual pulp tissue or infection remains. The canals are then filled and sealed with a biocompatible material.
After root canal therapy, the tooth can become more brittle. To protect it from fracture, it is recommended to restore the tooth with a crown.
Due to the complexity and variations in root canal anatomy, this treatment can be challenging. In some cases, it may be necessary to refer a patient to an endodontist—a specialist in root canal therapy.
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