When the pulp (the soft tissue inside the root canal) of your tooth becomes inflamed or infected due to excessive decay, having multiple several dental procedures repeated on the same tooth, a crack or chip in the tooth, or injury, you may need a root canal (also known as an endodontic treatment). Common symptoms are pain, lasting sensitivity to hot or cold, tenderness when chewing, tooth discoloration, and tenderness in the lymph nodes, among others. Root canal therapy can relieve you of those symptoms and prevent additional pain or damage.
The Endodontic Procedure
We take x-rays of the tooth to get a clear picture of the issues inside the tooth. We then apply a local anesthetic to numb the area. Once numb, we create an opening in the crown of the tooth and use very small tools to clear the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals. (While the pulp is important to a tooth’s growth and development, once a tooth is fully mature, it can survive without it, as its surrounding tissue can nourish it.)
Once the space is created, cleaned, and shaped, the root canals will be filled with biocompatible material, which is often a rubber-like material called “gutta-percha.” The filling material is placed with adhesive cement and a temporary filling is put in place to close the opening. You will then return for a follow-up visit to have a crown placed on the tooth to restore it to full function.
If the tooth lacks sufficient strength and structure to hold the crown or restoration in place, a post may be placed inside in the tooth.
Many people often fear the pain associated with root canal therapy, but we make sure you are sufficiently numbed and once the procedure is over, you'll be on your way to a pain-free tooth.
Contact us today if you are suffering from tooth issues that may require a root canal.
