Root Canal/Endodonics

We offer our patients the latest in root canal therapy. When the damage goes beyond what can be treated with a filling, we can perform a root canal to preserve the tooth and retain its original integrity. A root canal is a procedure that extracts decayed pulp from the central part of the tooth, reshapes the canal and replaces it with strengthened filler.

Problems that may require a Root Canal

• Inflamed/infected tooth
• Swelling or tenderness near the infected tooth
• Severe sensitivity to hot and/or cold elements
• Tooth decay
• Cracked or broken tooth
• Blow to the tooth
• Repeat dental procedures on a single tooth

When left untreated, these problems can lead to severe tooth pain and may cause extensive damage to the tooth structure and possible tooth extraction.

Steps of a Root Canal

• Numbing of the area and gas is available if needed
• A dental dam is used to isolate the tooth
• The tooth is opened to allow for removal of infected or dead tooth pulp
• With special tools, the canal is cleaned and reshaped
• The tooth is filled with biocompatible filling material
• A temporary filling is used over the access opening
• Waiting a month, you will return for the placement of a permanent restoration

Most of the time, a tooth requires a crown after a root canal has been performed. A root canal removes the nerve and the tooth has no blood supply anymore. It needs a crown to avoid the tooth from breaking down.