The idea of a root canal makes a lot of people want to run and hide, but the procedure is really quite simple. The dental pulp is the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues. Pulp death is usually caused by a cracked tooth or a deep cavity. Germs can cause an infection called an abscess. If the pulp is not removed, it will cause pain and swelling and could hurt your jaw bones.
Treatment is simple.
There are one to three visits involved and your general dentist can perform the procedure. First, an opening is made through the crown of the tooth. The pulp is then removed and the root canals are cleaned, enlarged and shaped. Sometimes, medication is placed in the pulp chamber or root canal to get rid of germs and infection. Lastly, a temporary filling will be placed in the crown opening to protect the tooth between dental visits.