Root Canal When the pulp, the soft tissue inside a tooth, becomes infected or inflamed, a root canal may be needed. Repeated dental procedures, deep decay, or a tooth that is chipped or cracked can lead to this inflammation and infection. If it is left untreated, it can develop into an abscess leading to further pain and other damage to nearby teeth. Some of the signs of needing a root canal include swelling, discoloration of the tooth, tenderness of the lymph nodes, or while chewing, prolonged sensitivity to cold or heat, and pain. There are some cases where there are no overt symptoms. Apicoectomy During this procedure, our endodontist will open the gum tissue near the tooth to see the underlying bone. There, they will remove any infected or inflamed tissue at the very end of the root of the tooth. A small filling may be placed to fill the end of the root canal. Patients will need a few stitches to help the tissue to heal properly, and over a few months, the bone will heal around the end of the tooth.