Root canal treatment is needed when decay, untreated on time, affects the tooth’s structure, leading to pulp inflammation...

Root canal treatment is needed when decay, untreated on time, affects the tooth’s structure, leading to pulp inflammation. Advanced periodontitis and tooth trauma are among other reasons for endodontic treatment.

Indications that root canal therapy may be needed are a severe toothache, an abscess (pimple) on the gum, lingering sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, presence of a swelling and or tenderness on pressure and biting.

In some instances the pulp of a tooth may die without showing any symptoms and the signs may only be found by an incidental investigation, such as an X-ray or by the tooth changing to a darker colour.