When injury or a large cavity damages the root of a tooth, the nerve inside the root may become infected and necessitate root canal therapy. This procedure requires Dr. Davis to go into the tooth root and carefully remove the infected nerve. She then disinfects the chamber and fills it with material that will help keep the root free of contamination and infection. The next step to help save the tooth is to cover it with a permanent crown, which Dr. Davis can do in the office the same day. If root canal therapy is performed and a crown is not placed soon after to help protect it, this can lead to reinfection and eventual tooth loss. In some cases, Dr. Davis refers the patient to an Endodontist or Root Canal Specialist for treatment, and then the patient comes back for the final restoration, such as a crown or filling the access hole of an existing and salvageable crown.