• Decay has reached the dental pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth).
• Infection or abscess have developed inside the tooth or at the root tip.
• Injury or trauma to the tooth.
• Extreme dental pain.

If you think you might have an infected or damaged tooth in need of a root canal, you should make a dental appointment to have it checked out. Some indicators that you may need a root canal or other dental work include:

• Pain when eating or chewing.
• Swelling of adjacent tissue.
• Swelling of local lymph nodes.
• Heat and cold sensitivity.
• Discoloration of the tooth.

If you need root canal therapy, sedation dentistry can help you feel more relaxed throughout your visit. By using sedation dentistry, you won’t be bothered by noises or movement and you can feel at ease the entire time. When root canal therapy begins, your dentist will make sure that you are ready and comfortable.

Once the area around the tooth is completely numb, your dentist will work to carefully remove all signs of decay and infection from the tooth. He will then remove the dental pulp, seal the canals, and prepare the tooth for crown or restoration.