The entire purpose of a root canal is to relieve pain and remove infection. In very simple terms, a root canal removes infected tissue from the roots of the tooth that are beneath the gum tissue. The reason for this is to be able to save the tooth, minimize the risk of further damage to the tooth and surrounding tissues and bone, and prevent losing the tooth.
Our office uses an advanced root canal system called the Wave One, which provides a comfortable and minimally invasive root canal treatment. The procedure involves removing the infected nerve tissue, cleaning and shaping the canal, and then that canal is filled with a material called gutta percha. Anytime a root canal is performed, a crown is recommended to protect the tooth from fracturing and getting reinfected.