Despite their bad reputation, root canal treatments serve a great purpose to save teeth that would otherwise be extracted. You may have heard that a root canal is a dreaded treatment option – but at our office, it is much like any other dental procedure and can usually be completed in one visit. Inside the tooth resides the nerve, also referred to as the pulp of the tooth. The pulp contains the blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue that keep the tooth alive and vital. Sometimes, when a cavity is left untreated, it can get deep enough to enter the pulp of the tooth. Once it enters the pulp, it infects the tooth. This can present as a toothache or an abscess (bump on gums usually filled with pus). This infection is removed and the tooth is saved by performing root canal treatment. During root canal treatment, the cavity and nerve are removed. Then small files are used to clean and shape the chamber inside the roots of the tooth so they can be filled and sealed to prevent future infection. Once the root canal is complete, usually a crown or some other restoration is needed to close and cover the tooth for function.