Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)

Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the nerves of the teeth.

Root canals are probably the most notorious procedure in dentistry and the most common procedure relating to endodontics. When a tooth becomes infected it is usually related to the nerves in the root of the tooth. This may occur if injury or decay reaches deep into the tooth, past the outer enamel layer. The infected nerves need to be removed. If left untreated an infection can turn into an abscess, which is a much more serious problem that includes bone loss in the jaw.

To restore the health of the tooth and avoid the need for extraction, our skilled Dentists will remove the infected and injured tissues from within the tooth, clean the tooth and fill it with a medicated material. The area around the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic to start the procedure. The dentist will then drill down into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. They will then be able to remove infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection has been removed, the space if filled with a sealant called gutta percha.

Root canal treatment has a reputation for being a painful treatment. In reality, however, root canal treatment can often be completed with minimal discomfort thanks to advanced techniques, tools and anesthesia. It is highly recommended that a tooth that has undergone a root canal is fitted with a crown. This will improve the appearance of the tooth, and will also make it much more likely that the root canal is successful. In most cases, a root canal can be completed in only one or two comfortable visits to our practice.