Underneath your tooth's outer enamel and within the dentin is an area of soft tissue called the pulp, which carries the tooth's nerves, veins, arteries and lymph vessels. Root canals are very small, thin divisions that branch off from the top pulp chamber down to the tip of the root.
Deep cavity, trauma, or fracture of the tooth can affect the pulp. Damaged or dead pulp causes increased blood flow and cellular activity, and pressure cannot be relieved from inside the tooth. Pain in the tooth is commonly felt when biting down, chewing on it and applying hot or cold foods and drinks.
During root canal treatment, we remove the infected pulp therefore eliminating the source of infection. After the pulp is removed and tooth is thoroughly cleaned, the space in the chamber and roots is filled and sealed off to prevent any further leakage or infection development. A gold or porcelain crown is normally placed over the tooth to strengthen its structure and improve appearance.
