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Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is damaged by either infection from dental decay or by mechanical trauma (auto or bike accident, etc.).  The solution for saving the tooth is to clean, sterilize, and fill the canal so that all of the damaged materials and bacteria are gone and so that the opening is sealed, leaving nowhere for bacteria to live. 

For the root canal to be the correct solution to the problem assumes that there is sufficient tooth left to restore.  The backup plan would be to remove the tooth and replace it with either an implant crown or with a permanent bridge.  Almost never is the appropriate answer to remove the tooth and not replace it.

Root canal therapy is highly successful (~95% average).  The 5% that do not work can be retreated, or the tooth can be removed and replaced by a titanium implant (99% success) with a full crown.  The standard of care is slowly changing from the 95% root canal solution to the 99% implant solution.   

Signs and symptoms for possible root canal therapy:

  • An abscess (or pimple) on the gums.
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold.
  • Severe toothache pain.
  • Sometimes no symptoms are present (abscess shows on X-Ray).
  • Swelling and/or tenderness.

Reasons for root canal therapy:

  • Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth).
  • Infection or abscess have developed inside the tooth or at the root tip.
  • Injury or trauma to the tooth.

How is the tooth restored after the root canal?

Most root canals can be completed in one visit.  If I know that the procedure is going to require a special microscope for looking into the center or the tooth, I will suggest visiting the specialist (endodontist).

Most teeth that have had root canal therapy need to be reinforced with a carbon fiber post down into the canal (strength from inside), followed by the placement of a crown that surrounds the remaining tooth structure (strength from outside).

After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive to bite, but this will subside with the passage of time.

You will be given care instructions after each appointment.  Good oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your root canal treatment.