When the nerve inside the tooth is infected, it needs to be removed. Root canal treatments aim to remove the nerve and then to clean and seal the canal space it resided in. An untreated tooth infection (abscess) can lead to significant dental and systemic effects.
Advances in dental technology and anesthetics have made root canal therapy much less intimidating for patients. A root canal procedure is typically as comfortable as getting a filling done. We often have patients fall asleep during root canal treatment!