Root canal therapy is done when the dental pulp inside the tooth has become compromised.
This usually occurs from one of three ways:
- tooth decay (cavity) extending down into the nerve
- deep fillings
- by trauma such as a blow to a tooth or the jaw
During the procedure, the nerve tissue is removed from the tooth and replaced with a filler material. The tooth will then most likely have to be repaired with a crown to prevent further breakage.