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 When
the nerve of a tooth becomes infected or abscessed,
Root Canal Therapy is the only way to save the tooth.
A tooth can become abscessed as a result of deep
decay, a cracked tooth,
or trauma to the tooth.
The only alternative to Root Canal Therapy is an Extraction.
During Root Canal Therapy, the tooth is "numbed" (just like
having a filling). Then the unhealthy
nerve is removed and medication is placed in the tooth to
treat the bacterial abscess (infection). After the infection
is removed and treated, a filling is placed in the roots where
the unhealthy nerve was.
A tooth that has undergone Root Canal Therapy is more brittle
and must be crowned to give the tooth
sufficient strength. The tooth is cared for in the same way
as other natural teeth. Brush and floss daily, and visit your
dentist for regular preventative dental check-ups.
High-Tech Root Canal Therapy
 The way root canal therapy is performed
today is vastly different than those done a few years
ago, not to mention a decade ago. The potential level
for quality care has dramatically increased. It is a thing
of the past to do root canals in five to six appointments,
or by "touch or feel" because we could not see.
Root canals can be done painlessly, faster, and more accurately
due to the new technology available. |
Non-surgical Root Canal Therapy
 Root
Canal Therapy is a dental procedure, performed with local
anesthetic, which involves the removal of the nerve inside
of the tooth because it has become irreversibly damaged or
infected. This is usually due to the entry of bacteria into
the centermost part of the tooth called the dental pulp (nerve).
ROOT CANAL is a commonly used term for endodontic therapy
or root canal therapy. This procedure involves the removal
of the entire nerve system, as well as cleaning, shaping and
3-dimensional filling of the canal system with gutta percha
and a dental sealer. The procedure enables you to keep your
natural tooth, which is preferable to any type of replacement.
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What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?
 Step one:
After the tooth is "numbed", a small opening
is made into the pulp chamber. The canals are located
and measured, so they can be cleansed and shaped.
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 Step two:
The canals are filled with a rubber-like material called
gutta-percha and the opening is sealed with sterile
cotton pellets and a temporary filling.
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 Step three:
The tooth is typically restored within a couple of
weeks. A crown is placed over the treated tooth in order
to protect it, and if the tooth lacks sufficient tooth
structure to hold the core build-up, a post may be placed
inside. Any areas of infection around the roots will
begin to heal.
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The number of visits necessary to complete a root canal will
vary depending upon the degree of infection, the number of
canals in the tooth, if the canals are calcified, the anatomy
of your tooth, and the complexity of the procedure. We always
strive to achieve the best possible result; therefore, your
treatment may take one visit, or it may take more.
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