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Root Canals: Alternative to Tooth Extraction

A root canal is a procedure that removes the infected pulp from the central chamber of the tooth, reshapes and smoothes the canal and fills and seals the canal with a special root canal restorative material.

A root canal becomes necessary when the nerve of a tooth becomes inflamed. Some potential causes of root canals include trauma, deep decay, or a fractured cusp. The root canal process allows the dentist the ability to save a tooth which would otherwise need to be extracted.
There are times when a tooth that needs a root canal has no symptoms. In most cases however this is not the case. Symptoms which often indicate root canal treatment include  severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure, prolonged sensitivity or pain to heat or cold temperature, discoloration of the tooth, or swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums surrounding the tooth.
       
Procedure:


The tooth is completely numbed so in most cases the patient feels no sensations at all. A dental dam is used to isolate the tooth. 
 
An access hole is made in the top of the tooth to allow for the removal of infected or dead nerve tissue.

 


The tooth and root chambers are comprehensively cleaned. With special tools the canals are reshaped and smoothed. 
       

The tooth and roots are filled with a cutting edge biocompatible filling material to seal the tooth to prevent any new infection of the tooth.





When appropriate a post is cemented down one or more of the canals and a restorative buildup material is placed in the access hole.                                                       






 
A final permanent restoration, such as a crown, is placed on the biting surface of the tooth to maintain the strength of the tooth.