Sometimes, a tooth can become so severely damaged or infected that your dentist might discuss a couple of different kinds of treatment plans with you. The first is a root canal, and the other is a ...

Les Masterson is a deputy editor and insurance analyst at Forbes Advisor. He has been a journalist, reporter, editor and content creator for more than 25 years. He has covered insurance for a decade, ...

Nobody wants to hear those two words from their dentist: “root canal.” The procedure has such a bad reputation that people use it as a metaphor for anything unpleasant and painful. But here’s some ...

In a root canal, the pulp is removed from the tooth. The inside of the tooth, including the root canals, is then cleaned and disinfected to remove bacteria. After this has been done, the tooth is ...

The tooth root sits below the gumline and helps anchor the tooth in the jawbone. An exposed root, which may poke through the gum, can indicate damage to the gums or teeth. When a tooth root is no ...