root canal therapy

Root canals are tiny passageways in the tooth that house the nerve and blood vessels also known as the pulp of the tooth. Teeth have between one and four root canals depending on where the tooth is located.

Many people refer to Root Canal Therapy as “root canal.” This type of therapy is needed when the pulp becomes diseased, is dying, or is dead. A diseased inner tooth brings a host of problems including pain, sensitivity, and abscesses, and if left untreated can spread into surrounding tissues. This condition can tax your immune system and can lead to broader systemic problems throughout the body.

The treatment involves removing the diseased tissue, halting the spread of infection, and restoring the healthy portion of the tooth. Root canal therapy is designed to save a problem tooth and prevent tooth loss.  Before this procedure was developed the only alternative for treating a diseased tooth was extraction.

During the first visit, a small hole is drilled through the top of the tooth and into the inner chamber. Diseased tissue is removed, the inner chamber cleansed and disinfected, and the tiny canals reshaped. The cleansed chamber and canals are filled with an elastic material and medication designed to prevent infection.

Generally, after root canal therapy the tooth will need a crown placed on it to restore its strength and function. Most patients who have root canal experience little or no discomfort or pain, and enjoy a restored tooth that can last almost as long as its healthy original.