Root Canal Therapy

Root canals get a bad wrap! Technology and materials have improved greatly over the years, yet the stigma attached to this dental procedure is still negative.

Frequently, patients who undergo a root canal at our office end up saying, “well that wasn’t so bad” on the way out the door or “that wasn’t much different from a filling!”

Root canal therapy is used in cases of significant decay. Patients choose this option for treatment in order to save a tooth from being extracted. Essentially, it is a procedure wherein the pulp is cleaned out, and the space disinfected and then filled.

Once filled the tooth no longer has sensation and therefore does not experience pain, however remains functional for chewing and continues to contribute to a balanced bite. Once the canal is filled, patients will choose either a filling or crown for the top of the tooth to complete the procedure.

Teeth have roots that anchor them to the jawbone. A root canal is the space within the root of a tooth. At the center of a tooth is a hollow area that houses soft tissues, such as the nerve, blood vessels and connective tissue. This hollow area contains a relatively wide space in the coronal portion of the tooth called the pulp chamber. These canals run through the center of the roots like pencil lead through the length of a pencil. The pulp receives nutrition through the blood vessels and sensory nerves carry signals back to the brain.