What is a root canal

A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, with over 14 million every year. This treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need for dental implants or bridges.

At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of a tooth infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, or pain to temperature changes or biting pressure in the tooth.

If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend non-surgical root canal treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp or root canal re-treatment if the tooth is experiencing problem after initial root canal therapy. This injured pulp (or contaminated root canal filling material in the case of re-treatment) is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and sealed. This therapy involves local anesthesia and is usually completed in a single visit depending on the treatment required. 

 Generally post operative complications and pain are minimal and you should be able to return to your regular routine immediately after treatment.  When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our facility. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to respond. To prevent further decay, continue to practice good dental hygiene.