Endodontics - Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that needs to be carried out when the blood and nerve supply of a tooth (known as the dental pulp) become infected by bacteria. Such infections usually occur as a result of tooth decay or traumatic dental injury. Bacterial Infections can spread throughout the root canal system of the tooth, which may ultimately result in destruction of the surrounding jaw bone. Very often this presents as a painful abscess or, in extreme cases, a facial swelling.

Root canal treatment can prevent the spread of infection and save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted.

The aim of root canal treatment is to clean the root canal system within the tooth in order to resolve the infection. Furthermore, the Endodontic treatment involves the placement of a filling material (root canal filling) to provide a seal against any further re-infection.