Search This Blog

Root Canal Procedure

Root Canal Procedure

A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed and/or becomes infected. Root canal procedures are performed when the nerve of the tooth becomes infected or the pulp becomes damaged. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.

A root canal can range anywhere from one to three visits. Your first visit will include being anesthetized (numbed) for the procedure. Then a hole is drilled into the top of your tooth to gain access to the canals in the tooth. Sonar technology is used to determine the length of the canals. Once the length has been verified, the nerve of the tooth is removed and infection is debrided. The canals will be irrigated thoroughly. If all the unhealthy tissue has been removed, we will permanently seal the canals with a rubber like material called Gutta Percha. A temporary filling material will be placed in the hole and you will be given a complete round of antibiotics. You will be brought back into our office approximately two weeks after the Root Canal and will ensure that the tooth is asymptomatic (no longer in any pain or discomfort).

Root canal therapy is a remarkable treatment with a very high rate of success, and involves removing the diseased tissue, halting the spread of infection and restoring the healthy portion of the tooth. In fact, root canal therapy is designed to save a problem tooth.

Once we know that you are no longer in any pain or discomfort with that tooth we will schedule you for a crown. Root Canal teeth become dry and brittle after the blood supply has been removed and the tooth is no longer vital. A crown must be placed in a reasonable time frame so not to risk the tooth breaking or fracturing.