Root Canal Therapy
What is a root canal?
A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, with well over 14 million done every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges.
At the center of your tooth is the pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels that helps to build the developing tooth during childhood. Disease of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, repeated or extensive dental procedures. Symptoms of the condition can be identified as visible injury of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature, pain while biting and chewing or swelling of the gums or face.
If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend that you see an Endodontist, who will evaluate your condition and, if necessary, provide non-surgical treatment to remove the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment.
You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine.
Endodontic Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of endodontic therapy, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to root canals are discussed.
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What happens 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 2 weeks of completion of treatment at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is unusual 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.