Endodontics, or root canal, is the removal of the pulp (nerve and blood supply) of a tooth. A root canal may be necessary due to an infection in the tooth, a cracked tooth, deep decay, trauma or a large break in the tooth. We “numb” the tooth and remove the nerve of the tooth. We then place a rubbery material, called Gutta Percha, into the canal where the nerve was removed. A temporary filling is placed for a few weeks while the infection clears. After a root canal the tooth no longer has a blood supply and is more likely to fracture. Sometimes the tooth does not have enough core strength or remaining structure and requires a post. For those teeth, a post is placed partially into the canal where the nerve was located and helps give strength to the filling (or core). In most cases we recommend that a crown be placed over the tooth to protect it.