Did you know that your teeth are actually alive?
The pulp is at the centre of the tooth and contains the nerve and blood vessels. This is what gives your tooth feeling and sensitivity. This pulp extends down to the roots of the teeth to the area known as the root canal.
Tooth decay or trauma can result in irreversible damage or injury to the pulp. When this occurs, root canal therapy may be required to save the tooth.
What is root canal therapy?
The root canal therapy process involves removing the nerve of the tooth, and carrying out a careful clean and shaping of the root canal. Next, the inside of the root canal is filled and sealed to prevent reinfection.
Once the treatment is complete the tooth will often require a crown to cover and protect it from further damage.
Is it painful?
Root canal therapy is almost always performed under a local anaesthetic, so you will be numb for the whole process and it is virtually pain-free.