Root Canal (Endodontics) Endodontics is the dental specialty
that deals with the nerves of the teeth. Root canals are
probably the most notorious procedure in dentistry and the most
common procedure relating to endodontics. When a tooth becomes
infected it is usually related to the nerves in the root of the
tooth. The infected nerves need to be removed. If left untreated
an infection can turn into an abscess, which is a much more
serious problem that includes bone loss in the jaw. The area
around the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic to start the
procedure. The dentist will then drill down into the tooth to
create an opening into the canal. They will then be able to
remove infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection
has been removed, the space if filled with a sealant called
gutta percha. It is highly recommended that a tooth that has
undergone a root canal is fitted with a crown. This will improve
the appearance of the tooth, and will also make it much more
likely that the root canal is su