Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp inside the tooth becomes inflamed or infected.  The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth or a crack or chip in the tooth.  In addition, a blow to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks.  If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.

Signs of pulp damage include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth and swelling and tenderness in the nearby gum tissue.  In addition, there may be no symptoms when an infection is present and an abscess may be detected on a routine x-ray.

The endodontic procedure involves removal of the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleaning, shaping and disinfecting the inside of the tooth followed by permanently filling and sealing the space.  A temporary filling will be placed in the biting surface of the tooth at the end of the procedure.  Afterwards, the patient must return to the general dentist to have the temporary filling replaced with a permanent restoration to protect and restore the tooth to its full function.