A root canal treatment is needed when a tooth's nerve and associated blood vessels are irreversibly damaged. They may be damaged by trauma, which may fracture a tooth, or by having deep decay that has infected the nerve. The end result is the same , an infection that leads to an abscess at the base of the tooth. Usually there is a throbbing pain in the tooth especially noticeable when laying horizontal, ie. in bed at night. There also may be a swelling in your jaw and it may be painful to chew on. Your tooth can usually be saved at this time.
The longer an abscess remains the more difficult the root canal treatment may be. Also, the chances for post treatment complications increase and the success rate drops. If allowed to go long enough, the permanent loss of the tooth may occur.
A dentist or endodontist (root canal specialist) can save a tooth by removing the diseased nerve tissue, cleansing and then filling the nerve chamber with a rubberlike material. This procedure can be done in one to three or more visits depending on the condition of the nerve. If there is an abscess antibiotic therapy may be used as well as possibly draining the infected site.
Root canals can cost from $350 to $1000 depending on the tooth involved and if a dentist or specialist treats the tooth.