Root Canals
If the decay formed by plaque makes its way all the way to the nerve, an infection will form outside the tip of the root of the tooth, like a pimple. And, like a pimple, there is pressure and discomfort, due to the inflamed and irritated tissues. Once this type of infection occurs, either a root canal or an extraction will be necessary to fix the problem. This type of infection cannot be completely healed with antibiotics alone, though antibiotics can be used temporarily to lessen the discomfort caused by the infection, under the care of a general dentist or dental specialist. In most cases, root canals are preferable to extractions (i.e. having a tooth pulled). To perform a root canal when there is this kind of infection in the tooth, the general dentist or dental specialist must remove the nerve of the tooth and clean out the infection, which will help to heal the tooth and to relieve the pressure and discomfort. Once filled, the canal where the nerve was once housed is filled with a special dental material, and usually, a crown is placed on the tooth for protection and to prevent bacteria from being reintroduced into the canal.
The process of removing the nerve, cleaning out the infection, and filling the nerve canal of a tooth is called "root canal therapy", or just simply "a root canal." Root canals performed due to a tooth infection and inflammation can be painful not because of the general dentist, but because there is an infection, and the anesthetics that usually numb teeth may not be able to work as well in the acidic environment caused by the infection. Thus, the best solution is to prevent the problem from ever occurring in the first place, and that is your responsibility. It is a matter of keeping your teeth and gums clean.
