Root Canal

What is a root canal?

A root canal is an endodontic therapy which involves treatment of the internal pulp of a tooth. At the center of your tooth is a pulp chamber . This chamber extends to the end of the tooth known as the root tip. Pulp is a collection of blood and nerve vessels that extend the full length of the tooth from the root tip to the end of the chamber. These tissues nurture the tooth and help to build and support the surrounding tooth structure. Inflamation and infection of the pulp may require the chamber to be cleaned and sealed to retain or keep the tooth. This sealing of the internal chamber of a tooth is considered a root canal . Since teeth can have multiple roots for support they can have multiple chambers to be sealed.

After the root canal has been completed the tooth will require additional treatment to re-support its structure. Depending on the remaining tooth structure supporting the tooth, a restoration will be necessary to complete treatment.

Why do I need a root canal?

The main reason a patient may need a root canal therapy is for infection or damage to the tooth .

Bacterial infection of a tooth usually starts as a result of advancing decay penetrating through the tooth surface to the pulp chamber. Once this occurs the pulp is irreversibly damaged. Symptoms of the beginning of this process can be heat or cold sensitivity. Sometimes just tapping or chewing on the tooth can cause discomfort as well. Swelling of the gum tissue next to the tooth or the area can occur as the infection becomes more advanced. Sometimes there are no symptoms and the infection is found during the dental exam. The need for proper x-ray evaluation is strongly recommended to properly evaluate and help to protect your health.

Trauma to a tooth can cause damage to the pulp and surrounding tissues. Besides an obvious injury, severe stress to your teeth from clenching or unsupported restorations can lead to breakage following with decaying into the pulpal chamber .This also can lead to the need for root canal treatment. The proper support of the biting surfaces of your teeth with proper restorations can lessen this from occurring.

With direct trauma, the tooth may at first be painless, but may become more sensitive as the pulpal tissue becomes inflamed. If you have had trauma to your face or teeth, be sure to inform our office so that these teeth can be monitored, and if necessary treated before they become painful.

How is a root canal performed?

Once the patient is comfortable with local anesthesia, an isolation cover is placed over the treated tooth. The injured or infected pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This treatment can be completed in one or more visits depending upon the condition and needs of the tooth. Our office has the advanced technology to complete this properly, comfortably and efficiently.
What happens when your root canal is completed

When your root canal therapy has been completed, a restoration will be necessary to re-support the remaining tooth structure. The root canal treatment was provided for the internal chamber of the tooth and will now need to be treated for the external needs. The integrity of the remaining tooth structure will dictate what type of restoration will be necessary to provide the proper support for the tooth.

It is very important to complete the final support of the tooth immediately following root canal treatment to protect the tooth from additional breakage and /or bacterial breakdown of the root canal treatment itself.

What happens when my Root Canal is completed?

When your root canal therapy has been completed,a restoration will be necessary to re-support the remaining tooth structure. The root canal treatment was provided for the internal chamber of the tooth and will now need to be treated for the external needs. The integrity of the remaining tooth structure will dictate what type of restoration will be necessary to provide the proper support for the tooth.
It is very important to complete the final support of the tooth immediately following root canal treatment to protect the tooth from additional breakage and /or bacterial breakdown of the root canal treatment itself.