A root canal is done and needed when a persons tooth becomes irreversibly inflamed and damaged.
The tooth's dental pulp – often called the “nerve” – became exposed to bacteria, and therefore needs to be removed to deter further pain and infection.
Root canals are a dental treatment that is done to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it.
The term "root canal" comes from cleaning of the canals inside a tooth's root.
Decades ago, root canal treatments often were painful.
Does a root canal hurt?
A root canal procedure sounds scary, but with today's technology, it's typically not a whole lot more different than having a deep filling.
There's little to no pain because your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb your tooth and gums so you're comfortable during the procedure.
A root canal (also known as an endodontic treatment) is a serious procedure, but one that specialists handle every day.
According to a report, 98 percent of root canals last one year, 92 percent last five years, and 86 percent last ten years or longer.
Molars treated by endodontists had a 10 year survival rate, significantly higher than that of molars treated by general dentists.