Root Canals
When the 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.
For more information, please visit the CDA Website.
Root Canal Treatment Using Cutting-edge Technology
Healthy Tooth: The way root canals are done today is very different than what was done a few years ago, and even more so than what was done a decade ago. The potential level of quality of care has increased dramatically. It is a thing of the past to do a root canal in five or six appointments or by “feeling” because you couldn’t see. These root canals can be done painlessly, quickly, and with greater accuracy thanks to new technology.
Non-surgical Root Canal Treatment
Decayed Tooth: Root canal therapy for a decayed tooth is a dental procedure, performed under local anesthesia, that involves the removal of the nerve of the tooth because it is irreversibly damaged or infected. This is usually caused by bacteria entering the most central part of the tooth called the dental pulp (nerve). ROOT CANAL is a term commonly used for endodontic treatments or root canal therapy. This procedure involves the complete removal of the nerve system of the tooth, as well as a 3-D cleaning, shaping, and filling of the root canal system with gutta-percha and a dental sealant. The procedure allows you to keep your natural tooth, which is preferable to any type of replacement.
What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?
First Step:
After the tooth is “put to sleep,” a small opening is made into the pulp chamber. The canals are located and measured, so that they can be cleaned and then contoured.
Second Step:
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.
Third Step:
The tooth is completely restored within two weeks. A crown is placed over the treated tooth to protect it and if the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold the restored central part, a post may be placed inside. Any areas of infection around the roots will begin to heal.
The number of visits required to perform a root canal will vary depending on the degree of infection, the number of canals in the tooth, whether the canals are porous, the anatomy of your tooth, and the complexity of the procedure. We always strive to achieve the best possible results; therefore, your treatment may take one visit or more.
