Root Canal

Endodontic (root canal) treatments are performed to repair and save teeth that are badly decayed and infected. If left untreated, an infection from one tooth can spread to surrounding teeth and bone, causing an abscess, swelling, and/or tooth loss. A tooth that requires a root canal can have various levels of pain, ranging from none to severe, along with swelling.

Once a tooth is diagnosed to require a root canal procedure, an antibiotic is prescribed first to control the infection and eliminate pain. This is not the complete treatment. If a root canal is not performed after the completion of the prescribed antibiotic, the infection tends to return, and with worse pain than before.

Once a tooth has had endodontic treatment, it becomes very brittle, so a crown is placed over the tooth in order to reinforce and protect it. If left unprotected, the tooth will eventually fracture, and re-infection of the roots and surrounding tissues may occur.

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