Root Canal therapy
A root canal treatment is one of the most common dental procedures performed. This simple treatment can save your natural tooth and prevent the need for an extraction and subsequent replacement with either an implant, bridge or other removable prosthesis.
At the center of your tooth is the dental pulp. The pulp consists of a collection of blood vessels and nerves that serve to build and nourish the surrounding tooth. Infection of the dental pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can include the following: pain in the tooth and/or gums, visible injury or swelling of the tooth or surrounding areas, discoloration of the tooth, or abnormal sensitivity to temperature (cold and/or hot) which was not previously present.
After the pulp is removed, the canal(s) are disinfected and shaped to remove all tissues, debris and bacteria. A sterile, inert material is then placed in the canals to seal the tooth and prevent re-infection. Finally, a temporary filling is placed in the access opening. Your regular dentist will then proceed to restore your tooth to function usually with a crown. Success rates can go as high as 98% in ideal conditions. Should your tooth be deemed non-restorable, you will be recommended to have the tooth extracted and discuss options to replace the tooth with your dentist. A detailed report will be sent to your dentist following treatment.