Root Canal (Endodontics)

When a tooth becomes infected it is usually related to the nerves in the root of the tooth. 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.

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. It is highly recommended that a tooth that has undergone a root canal is fitted with a crown.

"Root canal" has become a scary term for dental patients to hear, but the benefits of the procedure and advances in dental technology have made it much less "scary". There may be some soreness following the procedure, but that is normal for most dental procedures. Over the counter painkillers are usually enough to relieve any pain afterwards, but your dentist may prescribe medication. The procedure will also relieve you from pain caused by the infection allowing you to enjoy all the foods you love without any pain from heat, cold, or biting too hard. If you are experiencing pain consult your dentist today.

Related Root Canal Treatment Articles

Root Canal - Dear Doctor Magazine A Step-By-Step Guide to Root Canal Treatment
If you're about to have root canal treatment, you might be feeling apprehensive. If so, our walk-through of root canal treatment will show you what to expect from this tooth-saving procedure, which becomes necessary when an infection reaches deep inside a tooth. The most important thing to know is that root canal treatment doesn't cause pain — it relieves it... Read Article

Root Canal - Dear Doctor Magazine Root Canal Treatment For Children's Teeth
You may think that if a baby tooth comes out prematurely, it's no great loss; after all, it was going to fall out anyway, right? Wrong! Primary teeth serve as important guides for the permanent teeth that will replace them. Young children can lose primary (baby) teeth when the pulp, the living tissue inside a tooth, becomes infected as a result of decay or trauma. Losing baby teeth prematurely can allow bite problems to develop. Root canal treatment for children can prevent this. Learn what to look for in your child and what can be done to save baby teeth until they are ready to be lost naturally... Read Article

Tooth Pain - Dear Doctor Magazine Tooth Pain? Don't Wait!
Pain is a protective response that ranges from minor sensitivity to severe pain and informs the body that something is wrong. As for tooth pain, it is caused by a reaction of the nerves inside a tooth's pulp chamber with the severity dependent upon the type and degree of the stimulus... Read Article

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Our office alternates weekly between opening for Fridays and Saturdays.

Monday:

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Tuesday:

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Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

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Friday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

Alternating

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