A root canal Pulpectomy is a procedure where the soft tissue, including the nerves, inside the tooth is removed due to an infection or abscess. Most of the time people simply refer to the procedure as a "root canal".

It's quite a common procedure to undertake. In adult teeth quite frequently someone will complain of a painful tooth to find the dentist has diagnosed an infection or abscess. A course of antibiotics may take care of the infection and no further action is needed but many times a root canal is needed.

What is involved in the procedure?
A root canal pulpectomy can be painful so first the denist will administer some local anaesthetic. The procedure itself is really quite simple, the dentist will drill a hole in the affected tooth, scrape out all of the soft tissue out of the canal, clean the canal and the fill it with a rubbery filler and then cap the tooth.

Why is the endodontic procedure necessary?
When the root canal becomes infected it can proceed to becoming an abscess at the base of the tooth. If no treatment is administered the infection can cause swelling and pain the gum, face, neck. The infection can also spread to other parts of the face including the bone, leading to possible tissue and bone removal if the infection becomes serious. The procedure is fairly quick and painfree thanks to local anaesthetic, if your dentist informs you that the endodontic proecdure is needed you shouldn't be afraid and avoid it.