Root Canal Therapy
 When
the nerve of a 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.
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High-Tech Root Canal Therapy
 The
way root canal therapy is performed today is vastly different than those done
a few years ago, not to mention a decade ago. The potential level for quality
care has dramatically increased. It is a thing of the past to do root canals
in five to six appointments, or by "touch or feel" because we could
not see. Root canals can be done painlessly, faster, and more accurately due
to the new technology available.
Non-surgical Root Canal Therapy
 Root
Canal Therapy is a dental procedure, performed with local anesthetic, which
involves the removal of the nerve inside of the tooth because it has become
irreversibly damaged or infected. This is usually due to the entry of bacteria
into the center most part of the tooth called the dental pulp (nerve). ROOT
CANAL is a commonly used term for endodontic therapy or root canal therapy.
This procedure involves the removal of the entire nerve system, as well as cleaning,
shaping and 3-dimensional filling of the canal system with gutta percha and
a dental sealer. The procedure enables you to keep your natural tooth, which
is preferable to any type of replacement.
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What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?
Step one:
After the tooth is "numbed", a small opening is made into the pulp
chamber. The canals are located and measured, so they can be cleansed and shaped.
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 Step
two:
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.
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 Step
three:
The tooth is typically restored within a couple of weeks. A crown is placed
over the treated tooth in order to protect it, and if the tooth lacks sufficient
tooth structure to hold the core build-up, a post may be placed inside. Any
areas of infection around the roots will begin to heal.
The number of visits necessary to complete a root canal will vary depending
upon the degree of infection, the number of canals in the tooth, if the canals
are calcified, the anatomy of your tooth, and the complexity of the procedure.
We always strive to achieve the best possible result; therefore, your treatment
may take one visit, or it may take more.
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