Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is a highly effective and routine dental procedure performed more than 14 million times each year. This treatment can help save your natural teeth, preserving the appearance and function of your smile.
Each tooth contains pulp—a collection of blood vessels and tissue that was necessary for the proper development of your tooth when you were a child. If this pulp becomes inflamed due to trauma, deep decay, cracks, chips, or repeated dental procedures, it can cause significant discomfort.
If the inflammation is significant enough, it can cause the pulp to die, leaving the tooth susceptible to bacterial infection. Symptoms of an inflamed pulp include temperature sensitivity, pain to biting and chewing, and aching or throbbing pain in the tooth. Symptoms of an infected tooth include visible swelling, pain to biting and chewing and tenderness in the gum tissue. Sometimes, an infected tooth has no symptoms at all, but the infection is noticed on a routine radiograph.
How is a root canal performed?
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or if your dentist notices an infection on a radiograph, your dentist may recommend a root canal.
Local anesthesia for pain management:
First, we use a local anesthetic to block the nerves that are connected to the targeted tooth. This numbing ensures your comfort during the appointment. Modern technology makes a root canal treatment as painless and simple as a basic dental filling.
Accessing the inner tooth:
Once the tooth is numb, the endodontist creates an access hole and drills into the center of the tooth. The goal is to remove the pulp, clean out the infection, and shape the canals. A fully developed tooth can survive without pulp because it continues to be nourished by the surrounding tissues.
Filling the empty space:
Now that the pulp has been removed and the inside of your tooth has been cleaned, it is time to fill in the open space to preserve the overall structure of the tooth and keep bacteria from being able to grow on the inside of the tooth. Durable material is placed inside, and the tooth is sealed with a temporary filling.
Final restoration:
Your endodontist will next recommend that you return to your general dentist to place a crown over the treated tooth to add extra protection and support. If your tooth already has a crown, your dentist will likely place a filling.
What happens after treatment?
Once your root canal treatment is completed, we will send a detailed report to your general dentist. It is important to schedule a follow-up appointment with them within a few weeks to ensure proper restoration of your tooth. Your dentist will recommend the best solution to protect the tooth, such as a crown or filling.
How much will it cost?
The cost of root canal therapy varies depending on the extent of damage to the tooth and its location. However, endodontic treatment is generally much more affordable than tooth extraction and replacement with an implant or bridge.