Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is the process of removing infected, injured or dead pulp from your tooth. The space inside the hard layers of each tooth is called the root canal system. This system is filled with soft dental pulp made up of nerves and blood vessels that help your tooth grow and develop. When the nerve of your tooth becomes infected, a successful root canal treatment lets you keep the tooth rather than having to extract it. Keeping your tooth helps to prevent your other teeth from drifting out of line and causing jaw problems and avoids having to replace it with an artificial tooth.
A root canal is a procedure that often involves two or three visits. First is an exam is done where the dentist will to determine the extent of the infection and discuss treatment plans and will usually take X-rays to get a clearer picture. If a root canal is required, the procedure will usually be completed in 1-2 appointments.
Although procedures can vary according to your situation and practitioner preferences, on the day of the procedure itself you can expect something similar to:
Depending on the extent of damage and how long this has taken, your dentist may stop during the procedure and fill the access hole with a temporary filling. The temporary filling will block the hole to avoid it from getting contaminated and keep substances out to reduce the risk of further infection before your next appointment.
However, if your dentist continues with the same procedure you can expect:
When the pulp and nerve of a tooth becomes infected or inflamed the tooth will need a root canal. This inflammation or infection can be due to a variety of reasons including:
If you feel like you may need a root canal or are looking for relief, contact us to arrange a complimentary consultation with one of our dentists.