Non Surgical Root Canal

What is a root canal?

A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges.

At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums.

How is a root canal performed?

If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment. We use local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine. Our office can also refer you and/or assist you in finding an endodontist for root canal treatment, or if need be to an oral surgeon for extractions that cannot be comfortably handled in our office.

What happens after treatment?

When your root canal therapy has been completed your tooth will need a final restoration. Your general dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is crucial that you protect the root canal tooth with a final restoration as soon as possible as the root canal tooth is fragile and could break.It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. However if you experience any problems please call your dental office.