When a tooth receives a Root Canal it is referred to as an Endodonically treated tooth. The most common reason that a tooth needs this treatment is because decay has advanced through the two outer layers of the tooth, enamel and dentin, and has reached the pulp chamber. The pulp chamber contains nerves and the blood supply for the tooth.

Another cause is trauma to the tooth. This can be caused by the tooth being hit or bumped hard and in some cases by doing a filling. The closer the filling is to the pulp chamber, the higher the chance of the tooth needing a Root Canal.

And sometimes the tooth starts hurting and an abscess is present for no apparent reason.

Next time we’ll discuss how a Root Canal is done.