When a tooth becomes infected it is likely we will need to carry out a root canal treatment. This is a very straightforward procedure that removes the infection, saving the tooth so it can be restored with either a filling or a crown.

An infection can occur if bacteria are able to penetrate deep into the central part of the tooth that houses the nerves and blood vessels to the tooth. This is called the pulp and an adult tooth is able to function perfectly well without it. Your tooth is likely to become infected if it has a leaking filling or untreated tooth decay, or has suffered some sort of trauma that has removed part of the tooth.