Root Canal Therapy

What is a Root Canal?

Once upon a time, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you'd probably lose that tooth. Today, with a special dental procedure called root canal therapy you may save that tooth. Inside each tooth is the pulp which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth, it runs like a thread down through the root. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If you don't remove it, your tooth gets infected and you could lose it. After the dentist removes the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger.

Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits. Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile!

Why do I need a Root Canal?

To relieve the pain or discomfort you are experiencing the tooth must be relieved of its source of pain. Removing the infected or injured pulp is necessary to achieve this conclusion.

What is the treatment?

The affected tooth is opened to provide access to the pulp chamber. Special instruments are used to remove the pulp material from within the tooth with careful precision. The remaining canals are irrigated with a sterilizing solution to remove any remaining pulp tissue and/or bacteria. An inert material called gutta percha is placed into the canal(s) to seal the tooth.  This keeps any infectious material from returning to the inside of the tooth. Antibiotics are prescribed, if necessary, to kill any infection that may be around the tooth to help relieve pain and facilitate proper healing of supporting tooth structures.

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Last modified: 04/03/12