Tarter forms when minerals deposit in plaque which is not removed by regular brushing and flossing. This crusty deposit creates a cohesive bond that can only be removed by a dentist or hygienist

Plaque is a film of mucus and bacteria that gathers on a tooth surface. Over a period of time, plaque will result in tooth decay.

Root canal treatment removes the pulp from the center of a tooth when decay will likely damage or has already killed the tooth. It is done to prevent the development of a painful infection in the pulp that may spread to other teeth and to treat an infection that has developed into an abscessed tooth.

A crown is an artificial substitute that replaces and covers the entire part of a tooth above the gum line. A crown may be made of gold, porcelain, or a combination of other man-made materials. They are usually used to repair broken or decayed teeth or improve the appearance of the front teeth which may have been rotated or look crooked. Crowns are also applied after a root canal to seal the tooth and prevent it from breaking.