When teeth decay, it is important to place a restoration on a tooth to prevent further decay that may result in an abscess with ultimate tooth loss. Most restorations carried out in the practise are tooth coloured. When the decay has extended to the pulp or the canal of the tooth which consists of nerve and blood vessels, a tooth can be saved by performing a root canal.
Root Canals
The decay is caused by bacteria that enter the pulp chamber of the tooth and its canals causing infection of the nerve and vessels. Root canal is when the pulp is opened and the nerves and vessels are removed through the canals and disinfection of the area and replaced with an inert filling. The filling is like a rubber like material called gutta purcha. The canal is also reinforced with a post and a crown is used to cover the tooth to prevent the tooth from weakening and breaking in the future.
