Root canal therapy, also known as a root canal is required when the pulp or nerve of the tooth is invaded by decay, permanently inflamed, dead (necrotic) or when the tooth has an infection (abscess). A root canal involves removing the nerve and nerve tissue from the tooth and the root(s) of the tooth and finally sealing the tooth root(s) with a natural, rubber like material called gutta percha.

When in need of an Emergency dentist Houston residents know that Dr. David Hassid’s first priority is to save a patient’s natural teeth, whenever possible. When a root canal is required, the only options are to perform the root canal and save the tooth or remove the tooth. For the majority of teeth, after a root canal is completed a crown is required to avoid fracture. Sometimes, the destruction to a tooth can be so great that although a root canal can be completed a crown won't be able to be placed on the tooth afterwards so having a root canal is useless. In this case, it would be recommended to have the tooth removed and options for replacing the tooth would be discussed.