What is Root Canal Therapy?

Root Canal Therapy is a sequenced treatment for the nerve of a tooth in order to eliminate infection and to protect the tooth from future bacterial attacks.

Root Canal Therapy Procedure

First – The nerve tissues, blood vessels, and other cells are removed from within the roots of a tooth.

Second – The roots of the tooth are cleaned and shaped with tiny files.  They are also irrigated with disinfecting solutions.

Third – The root canals are filled with an intert filling such as gutta percha and a cement to block out all future bacterial attacks.

After the Surgery

After the surgery the tooth will be “dead”, and if the infection is spread at apex, root end surgery is required.

The root canal is painless if done properly and sometimes several appointments are needed to properly clean and seal the roots.

After a root canal treatment, the tooth looses all of its natural hydration from the nerve and blood vessels and becomes very brittle. This can make a tooth more prone to fracture especially if the tooth is a molar where most of the biting forces are concentrated. For this reason, dentists usually recommend a crown to protect teeth that have undergone root canal treatment.