Root Canals

Root Canals

Root Canal Therapy (also known as Endodontics) is an effective way of saving teeth that have become diseased. When the inner part of the tooth, known as the pulp (nerves and blood vessels) becomes damaged, without treatment, the tooth may become infected, cause pain and may eventually be lost. To treat these teeth, the damaged pulp is removed and the root channel is filled with a “root filling”. The tooth is subsequently filled and may require a crown (“cap”) to prevent the tooth from breaking.

Symptoms 

• tooth pain

• swelling of gums (around root area)

• tooth discoloration

• purulence (pus) from a gum boil (bubble in gum around root

• tooth feels “high” in the socket

• sensitivity to hot, cold and pressure

Causes

• deep decay

• trauma (blow to tooth) etc.

Treatment

The affected tooth will be assessed clinically, a radiograph will be taken and a definitive diagnosis will be made. If the tooth does require root canal therapy, it will usually be done over two appointments. Some may require additional appointments.

1st Appointment

The decay is cleaned, the diseased pulp is removed, the root channel is cleaned with medications and then the tooth is closed with a temporary filling. Antibiotics and pain medication may have already been prescribed prior to this appointment which can be continued.

2nd Appointment

The cleansing and shaping of the channel is refined and then a permanent root filling is placed in the root channel. The temporary filling will likely be placed again until healing has been confirmed several weeks later.

If the tooth is asymptomatic several weeks later and shows healing radiographically, then a permanent filling can be placed followed by a crown.

Nowadays, endodontic (root canal therapy) can be done comfortably with the aid of antibiotics, pain medications and effective local anesthesia.  Our patient’s comfort during any procedure, including root canal therapy, is our main priority.