Root Canal Therapy

What is a root canal?

Root canal therapy is one of the most common dental procedures. Well over 14 million are performed every year. This routine treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need for dental implants or bridges.

At the center of your tooth is pulp tissue. Pulp is a collection of neural and vascular tissue that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Inflammation or infection of the dental pulp can be caused by  deep decay, repeated dental procedures, cracks and chips, and trauma to the tooth.

Symptoms of a damaged pulp can be identified as sensitivity to chewing, temperature, pain in the tooth and gums and/or swelling in the area. If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend non-surgical root canal treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment.   Most patients are able to drive home after treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine.

 

What happens after treatment?

When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to respond. To prevent further decay, continue to practice good dental hygiene.