Root Canal Treatment

What is a root canal?

Root canal treatment removes the diseased inner pulp tissue of a tooth in order to stop painful inflammation and prevent a dental abscess. Without endodontic treatment, diseased teeth would need to be extracted. Root canal treatment stop the disease process and prevents infection so that the tooth can continue to provide function throughout life.

Most root canal treatments are done with local anesthetics just as would be provided at your dentist’s office for a filling or crown. A rubber dam is placed around the tooth that acts as a surgical barrier to prevent saliva from contaminating the root canal with bacteria and to prevent disinfecting solutions from contact with the mouth. A small opening is made on the chewing surface of the tooth or crown to gain access to the root canal spaces. Small instruments are navigated to the tips of the roots and then used to enlarge, disinfect, and clean the roots. Once the roots are clean inside, they are filled with a rubber material that will stay permanently inside the roots to prevent recontamination.

Once the root canal is treated, the tooth needs to be restored by your general dentist. Sometimes this restoration is filling, and sometimes it is a crown (porcelain cap).

What happens after treatment?

When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to respond. To prevent further decay, continue to practice good dental hygiene.

How much will a root canal cost?

The cost associated with root canals can vary depending on factors such as the severity of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth.