Root Canals

When your tooth is in distress, root canal treatments can save the day by eliminating harmful infections and bringing the tooth back to full functionality!

What Is a Root Canal Treatment and How Does it Work?

A root canal treatment is a dental procedure that removes infected or damaged tissues inside a tooth to relieve pain, prevent future infections, and preserve the natural tooth structure.  
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During the procedure, the dentist makes an opening in the top of the tooth. Next, they'll clean and shape the canals inside its roots. Finally, they'll fill the canals with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha before sealing the opening with a filling or a crown.

When Is It Necessary?

The pulp is the soft and spongy tissue inside the tooth that provides it with nutrients, oxygen, and sensory information, such as heat, cold, and pressure. Since it houses the tooth’s nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue, the pulp runs from the crown to the tip of its root and fills the pulp chamber and root canals.  

An infected or inflamed pulp can cause pain and increase tooth loss risk. In such cases, the dentist performs a root canal procedure to remove the damaged tissue and preserve the remaining healthy tooth structure.

What Are the Common Causes of Pulp Damage?

• Cracked Tooth

  Harmful bacteria can infect the pulp when they enter the tooth through the crack.
  

• Tooth Decay

  A cavity that reaches the pulp can cause damage to the tooth’s delicate inner tissues.
  

• Multiple Dental Procedures

  Repeated procedures on the same tooth can irritate the pulp and cause damage over time.
  

• Abscess

  An abscess is a pocket of infection at the end of the tooth’s root that typically results from an untreated cavity or gum disease.
  

• Trauma

  A blow to the tooth, such as a sports injury or a fall, can cause considerable damage to the pulp.