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Root canal therapy (also known as endodontics) removes
blood vessels and nerves from a tooth which may be infected and/or damaged. It
may also be required to remove a live nerve from a tooth (sometimes known as
elective root canal therapy). A root canal infection can be caused by several
things including decay, injury and possibly also gum disease. Root canal therapy
may be the only way to repair your tooth if it has been badly damaged by
infection.
Your dentist can make you a mouth guard. He or she will take a mould of your
teeth using a putty-like material. The mould is sent to a laboratory where your
mouth guard is made. Usually, mouth guards can be made from your choice of
clear, colored or patterned rubber.
A well-fitting mouth guard should stay in place while you're wearing it, so
that you can talk and breathe normally.
A dead tooth is likely to get infected. Without
treatment, a dental abscess (collection of pus) can form as the bacteria
multiply and are forced beyond the end of the root. As the collection of pus is
trying to expand within the bone, the tooth may rise slightly out of its socket
and feel tender when you bite down.
If left untreated, the infection may spread to the nerves and surrounding
tissues and cause nausea, fever and difficulty swallowing.
Your dentist will usually recommend root canal therapy to:
- open up the pulp chamber
- clean out the infected remains of the pulp
- fill the pulp chamber to prevent the infection returning
Sometimes a live tooth may have insufficient tooth substance to retain a
crown so the tooth may have to have root canal therapy and be restored with a
post-retained crown.
Teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy sometimes discolor but
you may be able to have treatment to correct this.
 
How does the pulp get damaged?
There are a number of ways that a tooth's pulp can be damaged. Decay
If tooth decay is left untreated, bacteria can spread into your tooth and
infect the pulp. Once this happens, your tooth will need to be treated with root
canal therapy to remove the bacteria and damaged pulp. Gum disease
If you have severe gum disease then your gums tend to pull away from the
teeth creating a gap called a periodontal pocket. This pocket traps bacteria,
further damaging the supporting tissues of your teeth. Bacteria in deep
periodontal pockets may theoretically infect the pulp. Injury
If your tooth is damaged by accident then the pulp may be affected and get
infected. For more information on tooth injuries.
What are the alternatives to root canal therapy?
If your tooth is seriously damaged by decay or injury, or the support of the
tooth is compromised by gum disease, then your dentist will discuss whether root
canal therapy will be able to repair your tooth. He or she may recommend that
you have the tooth taken out instead.
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