Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection.  In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.

Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die or is absessed and  would have to be removed if not treated.  Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.

Root canal treatment is highly successful, can be accomplished with little or no discomfort and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.

Signs and symptoms for possible root canal therapy:

• An abscess (or pimple) on the gums
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Severe toothache pain
• Sometimes no symptoms are present
• Swellingand/or tenderness

Reasons for root canal therapy:

• Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth)
• Infection or abscess have developed inside the tooth or at the root tip
• Injury or trauma to the tooth

What does root canal therapy involve?

A root canal procedure requires one or more appointments and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist (a root canal specialist).

While the tooth is numb, it is protectively isolated to keep it dry and free of saliva.  An access opening is made on top of the tooth or the decay is removed and the tooth is cleaned for access and a series of root canal files are placed into the opening, one at a time, removing the pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria. 

Once the tooth is thoroughly treated it will be sealed with either a permanent filling or, if additional appointments are needed, a temporary filling will be placed.

For many teeth, especially those that had large areas of decay, trama or fillings ,caps or crowns will be required to restore them. However sometimes new fillings can be used     After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the tooth has healed.

You will be given care instructions after each appointment.Good oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your root canal treatment.