Root Canal Therapy

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

A root canal is a dental procedure that can save a badly damaged or infected tooth. It's often necessary when the soft tissue inside your tooth, called the pulp, becomes inflamed or infected. This can happen due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or injury.

Here's what you can expect during the procedure:

1. First, we'll make sure you're comfortable by numbing the area around the tooth.

2. We'll create a small opening in the top of your tooth or crown to access the inside.

3. We'll carefully remove the damaged or infected pulp from inside the tooth and its root canals.

4. We'll clean and shape the empty canals, clean them with our advanced cleaning systems, then fill them with a special material to seal them.

5. Finally, we'll close the opening with a permanent or temporary filling, depending on the case.

6. Some patients will need to return to their general dentist to have a final restoration or crown placed.

The procedure usually takes one appointment, but in some cases multiple appointments may be necessary. Many patients find that a root canal is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling.

After the procedure, you might experience some sensitivity for a few days, but this can typically be managed with Advil (Ibuprofen) and/or Tylenol (Acetaminophen).

The goal of a root canal is to save your natural tooth and relieve pain. It allows you to keep your own tooth rather than having it extracted, which helps maintain your natural smile and normal biting force and sensation.