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Repair & Salvage your Teeth
In the past, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you’d probably lose that tooth. Now, with “root canal therapy,” your tooth can be saved. When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp tissue and germs can cause an infection inside the tooth. If left untreated, an abscess may form. If the infected tissue is not removed, pain and swelling can result. This can injure your jawbones and be harmful to your overall health.
Root canal therapy involves one to three visits. During treatment, your general dentist or endodontist removes the affected tissue. Next, the interior of the tooth will be cleaned and sealed. Finally, the tooth is filled with a dental composite. If your tooth has extensive decay, your dentist may suggest placing a crown to strengthen and protect the tooth from breaking. As long as you continue to care for your teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing, and checkups, your restored tooth can last a lifetime.
First, we will administer a local anesthetic to the area that will be receiving the root canal. Once the area is numb, we will then place a protective sheet (dental dam) over the area so we can isolate the tooth and prevent any infected pulp from interacting with other teeth. An opening is made through the crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber. The pulp is removed and the root canals are cleaned, enlarged and shaped.
Next, medications may be put in the pulp chamber and root canal(s) to help get rid of bacteria and prevent infection. Your dentist may leave the tooth open for a few days to drain and may give you medicine to help control infection that might have spread beyond your tooth. A temporary filling will be placed in the crown opening to protect the tooth between dental visits. Finally, we will place a dental crown over the tooth to further strengthen and protect it.
A root canal can repair and salvage what is left from a severely affected tooth. Receiving a root canal treatment is your best chance of recovering your tooth from extensive damage from decay and infection. Root Canals also protect your tooth from further decay or becoming re-infected.
