Chances are that you or a family member have been told that a root canal is necessary to save a tooth. Or perhaps root canal therapy is already underway. In either case, it’s important that you understand what will happen during root canal treatment and why this procedure is necessary to save the tooth.

Root canal therapy (endodontics) treats disorders of the nerve (pulp) of the tooth. It used to be that a tooth with a diseased or infected nerve had to be removed. In 95 percent of these cases today, however this is no longer true. We believe in saving teeth (instead of removing them) and we will make every effort to save yours!

1. Trauma – a physical blow to a tooth or a constant striking of a tooth in the opposite jaw that traumatizes the tooth.
2. Physical irritation – deep decay or a very large filling.

Regardless of the initial cause, the tooth pulp becomes irritated and an abscess (infection) occurs. Bacteria from your saliva grow within the tooth pulp, causing pressure and pain. In some cases the face may swell. Eventually the pulp dies, causing the bone around the tooth to be destroyed.

Once it has been determined (with X-rays and clinical examination) that root canal treatment is necessary, you will be scheduled for one or more appointments. It’s important that you keep these appointments, in order to prevent delays in treatment and healing. It’s also essential that you take all antibiotics and medications prescribes, to hasten healing and reduce swelling. Should you experience pain that cannot be controlled with the prescribed medication (this is unusual, but a precaution) call our office immediately.

1. First, the tooth may be isolated with a piece of rubber dam. This confines the treatment area and protects the mouth from bacteria and chemical agents. An opening is made through the crown into the pulp. ( You tooth may be numbed prior to this procedure.)
2. We then carefully remove the diseased pulp. The root canal area inside your tooth is cleaned, enlarged and shaped. Then, depending on your individual case, the root canal(s) and pulp chamber may be permanently filled and sealed. In some cases, however, we place a temporary medication in the tooth to control bacterial growth and reduce infection.
3. A temporary filling is placed in the opening of the tooth until the next visit. In some cases, however, the tooth may be left open. This allows the infection to drain.
4. At the next appointment we sterilize the inside of the tooth, to remove the bacteria. Throughout the root canal procedure we take X-rays to endure that all of the infected pulp is removed and that the walls inside the canal are smooth.
5. The root canal and pulp chamber are permanently filled and sealed.
6. Finally, the tooth is fully restored to chewing function.

• Discoloration – You may notice that your endodontically treated tooth (particularly a front tooth) has undergone a change in color. While this is of no great medical concern, you may be interested in having the tooth bleached. Be sure to ask us about tooth bleaching:
• Brittleness – A non-vital (endodontically treated) tooth is more brittle than a vital one, and is more susceptile to fracture. Therefore, we recommend that your root canal tooth be crowned (capped) following the treatment. Ask us if you are considering having this done.

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