Root Canal Treatment
If the nerve of your tooth has become infected, a root canal treatment allows you to keep the tooth rather than remove it. Your root canal system is filled with soft dental pulp made of nerves and blood vessels. When bacteria enters through cavities, cracks, or flawed fillings, your tooth can become abscessed. A root canal treatment removes the infected pulp from your tooth. By keeping your natural tooth, it stops other teeth from drifting out of line and causing future jaw problems.
the root canal treatmenT
- You’ll be administered a local anesthetic to freeze your mouth. A rubber dam is placed around the tooth being treated to protect it from the bacteria in your saliva
- An opening is created in the tooth to reach the root canal system and damaged pulp
- The pulp is removed by enlarging the canal system and cleaned using fine instruments
- After being cleaned, the canal is filled and sealed
- The opening is sealed with a permanent or temporary filling
A root canal treatment may take 1 or 2 appointments. Afterward, your tooth may be tender for the first week or two (bad pain and swelling are NOT common. Contact us if this occurs).
after the treatment
After your treatment, your tooth has to be restored to work and look like a natural tooth. This will include a crown or filling depending on the strength of the treated tooth.
A root canal treatment does not protect your tooth from other damage from occurring. You are still susceptible to a cavity or gum disease. With proper care, your treated tooth can last as long as your healthy teeth. Most of the time, a root canal treatment is successful the first time. In a rare case, a second treatment may be required. During a retreatment, the root canal filling is removed, recleaned, reshaped, and refilled.
If you have any concerns regarding a root canal treatment, contact our office and we’ll be happy to answer any and all of your questions.
