The
process of removing the
pulp of a tooth. It is more properly termed
endodontic treatment, or Root Canal Therapy (RCT). It may or may not be done in conjunction with the placement of a
crown.
This procedure is performed on
abscessed teeth, or any tooth with a substantial
pulp exposure.
The pulp of a
tooth is where the nerve lies. If this area should become
infected, it is extremely painful. A pulp exposure allows bacteria access to your pulp, which can destroy the entire tooth. At that point, RCT is
indicated.
The process consists of opening the
pulp chamber, then inserting
files of various diameters to completely remove the pulp and its nerves along their canal. The canals are then filled with a material such as
gutta percha.
Simple RCT can be performed by a general
dentist, but in cases where roots twist or canals have odd shapes, an
endodontist should perform the RCT to ensure complete removal of pulp without
perforation of the root.
So when do you
need RCT? The basic answer overall is: When the pulp is infected to the point where it will not recover. Despite being one of the areas in the body with the highest
blood flow, it cannot effectively deal with active infection. If you find yourself with
lingering pain (say, more than a
minute or two) on
exposure to cold, or pain on exposure to
heat, or
spontaneous pain, it's probably time to go in.
But pain isn't always an indication. After all, that's where the nerve is ... but if the tooth is already dead, then the nerve is dead, and you won't feel anything. There are many cases where RCT is still indicated. After all, you can't feel
diabetes, but that doesn't mean you don't have it.