Root canal therapy is needed when pulp of the tooth ( the living tissue inside the tooth consisting of the nerve and blood supply) is affected by decay or infection. Decay and infection can cause the pulp to die. In order to save the tooth, the pulp must be removed and the resulting space   filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.

Having a root canal done on a tooth may be the treatment of choice to save a tooth that   would otherwise   have to be removed.  Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.

Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.

Signs and symptoms for possible root canal therapy:

• An abscess (or pimple) on the gums.
• Sensitivity to hot and/or  cold.
• Severe toothache pain.
• Sometimes no symptoms are present.
• Swelling and/or tenderness.
• Pain on biting or chewing
• Reasons for root canal therapy:

• Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth).
• Infection or abscess have developed inside the tooth or at the root tip.
• Injury or trauma to the tooth.

What does root canal therapy involve?

A root canal procedure can usually be completed in one appointment, and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist (a root canal specialist).

While the tooth is numb, the tooth is isolated with a rubber dam (a sheet of rubber) that will be placed around the tooth to keep it dry and free of saliva.  An access opening (a hole) is made on top of the tooth (the biting surface) and a series of root canal files are placed into the opening, one at a time, removing the pulp (nerve tissue and blood supply) and any bacteria present.  If tooth decay is present, it will also be removed with special dental instruments.

Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, the roots and the pulp chamber will be filled with a special material called gutta percha.  Most teeth needing a root canal will also need to be restored with a crown..  This will protect the tooth and  decrease the chance that it could  break in the future. It also  restores it to its full function.

After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive for a few days, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the tooth has healed.

You will be given care instructions after each appointment.  Good oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your root canal treatment.