If the nerves and blood vessels of a tooth have been irreparably damaged, rather than extracting the tooth, we may attempt to save it by undertaking root canal therapy. At The Dentist each decision on whether or not to do root canal treatment is made on an individual basis. This takes into account the patientsgeneral health status at the time, reviewing that decision at each check up and deciding what the implications are of the alternatives to RCT.If we have suggested root canal therapy, then it is important to have the treatment started as soon as possible. An infection that is allowed to continue, will likely result in the formation of an abscess. This will lead to the destruction of the underlying bone tissue and may make it impossible to save the tooth. In addition, the infection can spread to the adjacent teeth and could result in blood poisoning, fever, facial and neck swelling and a general feeling of unwell.