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Root canal treatment is necessary when a cavity in your tooth passes through both the outer enamel and the inner dentin layer of your tooth and reaches and infects the pulp of the tooth. Once this occurs your only options are to either have the tooth pulled or get a root canal. Most people would rather get a root canal and keep the structure of their tooth than have the tooth pulled and have to deal with dentures or implants to fill the space left by the tooth.

Signs you may need a root canal include sensitivity to hot and cold, a toothache that throbs and doesn’t get better, an abscess and a fever. The infection in your tooth can increase the amount of liquid present, putting pressure on the nerves and causing this type of throbbing pain, which increases over time as the infection gets worse.

During root canal treatment, the inner pulp of your tooth is removed under local anesthesia. This stops the spread of infection and preserves the outer structure of your tooth. The space where the pulp was is then filled with something called Gutta Percha, which helps maintain the tooth’s structure and keep the infection from coming back. It may take more than one visit to accomplish the entire procedure, including closing off the opening of your tooth, which may require a crown. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to make sure that any infection is destroyed and doesn’t spread.

In some cases redoing root canal treatment may be necessary. This may because some decay was missed during the first procedure, because the crown was not securely cemented in place or because plaque builds up on the tooth and causes a new cavity and infection.

To avoid needing root canals, take good care of your teeth. See the dentist twice a year to have your teeth cleaned and to check for any problems, floss daily and brush your teeth at least twice a day. Limiting sugary foods and sweets can also help prevent decay. Do not delay getting cavities filled because you don’t want them to get larger and reach the pulp of the tooth.