Dental Procedures | Prevention | Restoration | Cosmetic Dentistry

Root Canal

Chances are that you or a family member have been told that a root canal is necessary to save a tooth. Or perhaps root canal therapy is already underway. In either case, it's important that you understand what will happen during root canal treatment and why this procedure is necessary to save the tooth.

Q. What is Root Canal Therapy?

A. Root Canal Therapy (endodontics) treats disorders of the nerve (pulp) of the tooth. It used to be that a tooth with a diseased or infected nerve had to be removed. In 95 percent of these cases today, however, this is no longer true. We believe in saving teeth (instead of removing them) and we will make every effort to save yours!

Q. Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

A. There are several reasons. The most common are:

• Trauma - such as a physical blow
• Physical Irritation - deep decay or a very large filling.
• Regardless of the initial cause, the tooth pulp becomes irritated and an abscess (infection) occurs. Bacteria from your saliva grow within the tooth pulp, causing pressure and pain. In some cases the face may swell. Eventually the pulp dies, causing the bone around the tooth to be destroyed.

Q. What's Going to Happen?

A. Once it has been determined (with X-rays and clinical examination) that root canal treatment is necessary, you will be scheduled for one or more appointments. It's important that you keep these appointments, in order to prevent delays in treatment and healing. It's also essential that you take all antibiotics and medications prescribed, to hasten healing and reduce swelling. Should you experience pain that cannot be controlled with the prescribed medication (this is unusual, but a precaution) call our office immediately.

Here's how your tooth can be saved with endodontic treatment.

1. First, an opening is made through the crown of your tooth into the pulp. (Your tooth may be numbed prior to this procedures.)
2. We then carefully remove the diseased pulp. The root canal area inside your tooth is cleaned, enlarged and shaped. Then, depending on your individual case, the root canal and pulp chamber may be permanently filled and sealed. In some cases, however, we place a temporary medication in the tooth to control bacterial growth and reduce infection & schedule a second appointment to finish the procedure.
3. A temporary filling is placed in the opening of the tooth until the next visit. In some cases, however, the tooth may be left open. This allows the infection to drain.
4. At the next appointment we disinfect the inside of the tooth, to remove the bacteria. We continue cleaning out the canals and make sure they are shaped and enlarged correctly.
5. The root canal and pulp chamber are permanently filled with rubberized material called "gutta perca" and sealed.
6. Finally, the tooth is fully restored to chewing function. Since a root canal removes the blood supply to the tooth, the tooth will become brittle. When a root canal is done on a back tooth, molar or bicuspid. It is always recommended that a crown be made to strengthen the tooth, and to assure that the tooth will not fracture.

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