Save your natural smile with advanced, pain-free root canal therapy designed for lasting beauty and relief.
Sometimes the area of the tooth known as the dental pulp (the soft tissue that sits in the middle) becomes infected and necessitates a special treatment. Whether due to decay, a compromised filling or damage due to an impact to the structure, root canals are the resulting procedure and involves removing the damaged part of the pulp. The elimination of the nerve tissue is what in most cases saves the rest of the tooth and prevents the need for extraction. The infected tissue is removed, the area is carefully cleaned and disinfected, and the tooth is usually capped with a crown.
The first step is to examine the tooth and make x-ray imagery of the affected area. Next, the tooth is anesthetized, and a dental dam is placed to isolate the tooth and protect the surrounding area. Following this, an opening is made to the crown, the pulp is cleaned, and the root is accordingly shaped. Once the space is cleaned and sanitized, the space is filled with a rubber-like substance called gutta-percha. This filling is temporary, and once removed, a crown is placed, providing a more permanent solution and completing the procedure. A supporting post can be inserted if the tooth is not stable enough.
After the root canal procedure, the tooth can feel sensitive, and there could be some swelling or inflammation. These effects do not last in most cases. We recommend that patients not eat for several hours to avoid accidental bites due to numbness, and to stick to soft foods that do not require much chewing, such as fish, eggs, yogurt, and apple sauce. We also would require a follow-up appointment to make sure that everything settles as it should, and of course suggest regular brushing, flossing, and cleanings afterwards. Please give us a call if you have any questions or need any additional information.
