What is a root canal treatment?

Each tooth contains pulp that supplies nutrients and nerves to the tooth. This pulp connects with the root. The pulp tissue perishes in the event that the pulp is diseased or injured. Opting not to act will mean your tooth will then become infected and you risk losing the tooth. Root canal therapy will salvage the damaged pulp in the root canal. The dentist will extract the diseased pulp, reshape the canal, seal it for protection and strengthen your tooth by fitting a crown.  more

The treatment of choice for the inflammatory conditions and necrosis of the dental pulp is basically the same, a root canal treatment. This form of therapy consists in completely removing the pulpal nervous tissues and other contents (in the case of infections or necrosis) from inside the roots. Afterwards, the remaining spaces are disinfected and filled with an inert material. The purpose of this treatment is to create a clean environment inside the roots so the inflammation subsides and the surrounding tissues can heal so the tooth can function normally without any symptoms. How long does it take to perform a root canal treatment? In our case, 95% of the cases are treated endodontically in only one appointment. Today's knowledge and technology permit this to happen. Traditionally these treatments where performed in various appointments (usually 2 to 4 visits). The results where satisfactory but there is a lot of wasted time. Is this treatment painful? Usually not. The procedure is ...  more

Root canal treatment usually involves the removal of the tooth's pulp, a small thread like tissue that was important for tooth development. Once removed, it is replaced with materials that seal off the root canal from its supporting structures. Years ago, diseased or injured teeth were often extracted. Today, even if the pulp of one of your teeth becomes injured of infected, it often can be saved through root canal (endodontic) treatment. Endodontics is the area of dentistry concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease or injuries to the dental pulp. What is the dental pulp? The pulp is the soft tissue that contains the blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue of a tooth. It lies in a canal that runs through the center of the dentin - the hard tissue on the inside of the tooth that supports the outer layer of tooth enamel. The crown (the portion of the tooth visible above the gums) contains the pulp chamber. The pulp extends from this chamber down through the ...  more

Our participating dentists use a root canal procedure to save the damaged or dead pulp in the root canal of the tooth by cleaning out the diseased pulp and reshaping the canal. The soft tissue around the tooth contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment has given our participating dentists a safe way of saving teeth.

A. Sometimes a tooth has been damaged to an extent that the nerve (inside the tooth canals) must be removed to prevent pain, infections, and the loss of the piece. This is also called an endodontic treatment. If left unattended it can complicate further into even fatal consequences. After the nerve is removed the canals are filled permanently and eventually sealed after no signs of infection. A post and crown are needed to protect the integrity of the tooth.  more