Although endodontic therapy may seem scary to most patients, there are three main reasons for it: to stop toothache, to prevent bacteria & pain from spreading to the jaw, & to preserve the original tooth rather than replacing it with a denture or bridge.
The root canal is a channel filled with pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth made up of blood vessels, nerves & complex cells) that runs from the tooth’s root up to its top surface. A crack or decay in the tooth allows bacteria to get to the pulp, which irritates it & causes it to inflame. This inflammation of the pulp tissue decreases blood flow & creates pressure inside your tooth, causing pain.