The nerve of the tooth can be damaged by small cracks, decay, failing older restorations, tooth grinding or trauma. Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that replaces a tooth's damaged or infected pulp with a rubber filling material. The procedure is also known as endodontic treatment.  It involves two or three appointments to remove all the bacteria and seal the roots of the tooth.

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If the tooth is too badly broken down or cracked it may be advised to have an implant or discussions about a plate (denture) or bridge (tooth added to neighboring tooth).