When the inside of a tooth becomes infected, pressure begins to build. Teeth are hard and cannot expand. The increased pressure inside the tooth irritates the tooth's nerve, causing pain. This pain and infection can lead to biting and chewing issues, poor nutrition, and poor oral hygiene. Dental infections left untreated can lead to tooth loss, and if they spread beyond the jaw may cause serious and sometimes life-threatening problems.
Root canal therapy eliminates an infected tooth's pain and swelling by removing the infection and sealing the tooth. The procedure can repair and save your tooth rather than having it removed.
Whether a tooth will need root canal therapy depends on many factors, including the extent of the damage or decay to the original tooth, your age, and your overall health. For example, you may require root canal therapy if your tooth is severely damaged and treating it requires structural posts to be placed into the tooth. Root canal therapy may also be needed when preparing a tooth for a restoration, such as an implant or crown.
Root canal therapy consists of many steps. Your procedure may vary from the process described below based on your specific situation.
There are some issues to consider before deciding on root canal therapy. They may not apply to your specific situation.
Plan Coverage Disclaimer
Services described in this resource may not be covered by your dental plan. Your dental plan administrator may also place limits on services, or some of the services may be eligible medical plan expenses. Other services may be subject to review for dental necessity. This may affect the services your plan will cover and the amount your plan considers to be an eligible dental plan expense. Consider submitting a pre-treatment estimate before services are rendered. Please refer to your certificate for coverage details.