Once upon a time, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you'd probably lose that tooth. Today, with a special dental procedure called root canal therapy you have the option to save that tooth. Inside each tooth is the “pulp” which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth, it runs like a thread down through the root of the tooth. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If you don't remove it, your tooth gets infected and can cause an abscess, resulting in potential loss of the tooth. After the pulp is removed, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Normally a crown is required to be placed over the tooth to help make it stronger and ensure that it lasts for years to come.

Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort. Best of all, it can save your tooth and preserve your smile!