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Periapical tooth abscess
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Slide show: Root canal treatment
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Slide show
Slide show: Root canal treatment
By Mayo Clinic staff
Why you may need a root canal
Teeth have a soft core called dental pulp. The pulp extends from the crown — the visible part of the tooth — to the tip of the tooth's root in the jawbone. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp. Left untreated, bacteria and decaying material can cause a serious infection or a tooth abscess, leading to pulp death, bone loss and loss of the tooth itself. Signs and symptoms may include swelling around your face and neck, a hole in your tooth, toothache or tooth pain, gum swelling, and temperature sensitivity.
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References
- Endodontic treatment. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/2890.aspx. Accessed Nov. 3, 2011.
- Root canals. American Association of Endodontists. http://www.aae.org/Patients/Endodontic_Treatments/Root_Canals.aspx. Accessed Nov. 3, 2011.
- Dental materials. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/3416.aspx. Accessed Nov. 3, 2011.
- Carr AB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 8, 2011.
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