Just saying "Root Canal" evokes fear and the thought of pain.  While done under strong anesthesia they are virtually painless.

The truth is a root canal is usually necessary due to a toothache.  The pain from a toothache is severe and if left untreated will become an abscess and infection of the soft tissues of the face.  In extreme circumstances the infection can disrupt breathing or infect your brain leading to hospitalization, surgery and possible death.

A root canal is a last ditch effort to save a tooth.  Historically the treatment was to pull the tooth if it hurt.  While that is a quick and cheap option in the short run, you will eventually run out of teeth.  Replacement of missing teeth can be expensive and if treatment is withheld your bite can collapse leading to even more expensive treatment.

Basically, if the tooth can be saved with a root canal, it is better to save the tooth.

• Learn More About the Story of How Toothaches Begin!

Decay in a tooth penetrates through the dentin towards the nerve, the living sensitive to sweets and temperature.

A tooth with decay is in a weakened state and can fracture or crack.  This may or may not be painful.  Everyone's tolerance to pain is different.

Sometimes teeth can die without decay from trauma, sometime the cause is unknown.  Unless a complete set or x-rays is taken show the roots, an abscess can go unnoticed.

The first step in a root canal is to get you very numb.  Using profound anesthesia the treatment A rubber sheet is secured around the tooth in order to keep the area clean and free of saliva.

The pulp chamber is accessed using dental drills.  The top of the tooth is sometime flattened in order to make more accurate measurements and to remove the tooth from your bite so it can heal faster.

Small files are used to clean the pulp tissues, bacteria and infection from the canals.  The canals are widened and evenly tapered to within 1/2 mm of the tip of the root.

Once the canals are cleaned and shaped a cleaning solution is used to disinfect the canals.  At this point the tooth may be filled with a medicine and a temporary filling placed to allow any abscess and infection to heal before sealing the tooth.

The final seal is done with an inert material called Gutta Percha.  The tooth is filled (called a build-up) sometimes a post is placed in one or more of the canals to support the tooth.  Since tooth is dry and brittle a crown is necessary to keep the tooth from breaking.

To schedule an appointment online, please contact us today!