When a cavity is neglected and the decay reaches all the way to the pulp of the tooth root canal treatment is necessary. When the decay attacks the pulp, the pulp becomes infected and this infection can reach all the way to the root tip and begin eating away the surrounding bone, this is know as an abscess. At this point the tooth must be treated and cannot heal on its own.

When a Root Canal Treatment is performed the dentist will go into the tooth and clean out the infected pulp, and the canals of the tooth are disinfected. Once the canals are sterile they are filled/sealed with a plastic like material called guttapercha. Finally the tooth is filled with either a temporary or a permanent filling. Usually a root canalled tooth is recommended a core build up and a crown for strength and durability.