Inside the tooth is the dental pulp, that is, blood vessels and nerves. This space is a branching system of tiny cavities called root canals.
How do root canals work?
Root canals are small, with a diameter of 0.05–0.1 mm, and a bundle of nerves and blood vessels runs through them, which nourishes the tooth and makes it sensitive. The structure of the canals differs from person to person and from tooth to tooth.
When do root canals need to be treated?
A problem arises when an infection gets into the canals and reaches the dental pulp, which causes toothache. This most often happens with extensive tooth decay. In such a case, the root canal needs to be treated.
What does endodontic treatment involve?
Endodontic treatment involves opening the canal, cleaning it thoroughly, that is, removing the dental pulp, often under a microscope, and filling the resulting cavity. This tooth-preserving procedure makes it possible to keep the tooth so that it does not have to be extracted.
