Root Canal Treatment
If one of your teeth becomes injured or diseased, it can often be saved through a specialized dental procedure known as root canal (endodontic) treatment. Root canal treatment is performed when a tooth's pulp tissue (nerves, blood supply, connective tissue) becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection could be caused by decay, a crack in the tooth, or traumatic injury. If inflamed or infected pulp tissue is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess. There can be many signs associated with a tooth that needs root canal treatment: pain, sensitivity to heat or cold, darkening of the tooth, swelling around the tooth. Sometimes there may be no symptoms at all, and the abscess is detected by x-ray. Once a tooth has reached a point where root canal treatment is recommended, it is often the only way to save the tooth. There is no reason to fear root canal treatment. We work hard to see that you are comfortable throughout the treatment.
An abscessed (infected) tooth caused by tooth decay.
The decay is removed and an opening is made through the crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber.
The pulp is removed, and the root canals are cleaned and shaped.
The pulp chamber and root canals are filled. A metal or plastic rod or post may be placed in the root canal to support the crown. The crown of the tooth is then restored.
