What Is a Root Canal?
Root canal therapy is the ideal way to save at-risk teeth from being irreparably damaged. In the following video, Dr. Vahid Bashi discusses how root canals are performed.
Many patients ask about what a root canal is. A root canal is a dental procedure aimed at treating a tooth that is either infected or on the verge of infection. This condition can arise from a tooth that is broken, decayed, or has a nerve that is not functioning correctly.
The treatment involves removing the nerve of the tooth, but not the tooth itself, which remains in place. Each tooth contains a small canal where the nerve resides. When this nerve is damaged, decayed, or infected, it cannot repair itself, unlike muscles, skin, or bones that can heal over time. Nerve tissue does not regenerate, so if left untreated, a damaged nerve can lead to pain, inflammation, and infection, causing significant discomfort.
During a root canal procedure, we remove the damaged nerve from the tooth, clean and sterilize the inside of the tooth, and then seal it to prevent bacteria from entering. This process allows us to save the tooth, eliminating the infection and allowing the tooth to be maintained just like any other in your mouth.