Root canals have a bad reputation. That’s no secret. However, apart from a few rare exceptions, root canals actually relieve pain rather than causing it. When done properly, root canal therapy allows patients to keep a tooth that would have otherwise been extracted. A root canal is needed when decay or damage accesses the innermost layer of the tooth where the nerve system is housed causing severe pain and dental sensitivity. In rare cases, the dentist may not completely remove the inner tooth layer, called the pulp, or the tooth may not be completely sealed. When this happens, the root canal may fail. In some cases, retreatment is possible, but for others, tooth extraction and replacement may be necessary. The treatment decision is a personal one, and no solution is right for every patient.
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