Root canals are valuable dental procedures used to treat and preserve teeth with badly infected roots.

The pulp is the live portion of the tooth that extends into the root and contains nerve endings and tissues.

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What are some common symptoms?

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• Tooth or gum pain, discoloration, or prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold

• A tooth that is tender when it is touched

• A tooth abscess (pus enclosed in the tissues of the jawbone at the tip of an infected tooth)

• Pus drainage in your mouth

• Swelling or tenderness in the lymph nodes under your jaw

 

Sometimes an endodontic problem can exist without warning signs. In these cases, a Digital X-ray taken during a routine dental checkup will reveal the tooth damage

What is a root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment involves the removal of the diseased pulp along with the tooth's nerve (located within a tooth's root canal). The pulp chamber and root canal(s) of your tooth are then cleaned, medicated and sealed. A dental crown or other restorative treatment is used to protect and strengthen the tooth.

What happens after I am diagnosed?

After reviewing a Digital X-ray of your tooth, our endodontist will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums and supporting bone structure, recommend a treatment plan, discuss it with you, and answer your questions. If a root canal is needed:

•  A local anesthetic is applied to the affected tooth and surrounding area

• An opening is made in the top of the tooth and your endodontist will remove the soft pulp and nerve and then shape the interior for filling

• The root canal is cleaned, medicated, and filled with a rubber-like biocompatible material (gutta percha)

• A temporary filling is placed pending your return to our  dentist

• Our  dentist will then place a permanent restoration, such as a crown, to protect the tooth