Treatment

Root canal treatment is used to save damaged teeth. When the pulp (nerve) is diseased or injured and unable to repair itself, the pulp dies.

The most frequent cause of pulp death is a fractured tooth or a deep cavity, which can expose the pulp to the bacteria found in saliva. The bacteria then cause an infection inside the tooth. If not removed damaged or diseased pulp can cause the tooth and surrounding tissues to become infected.

Without treatment, your tooth could eventually have to be removed.

Step 1

An opening is made into tooth. The decay is removed to expose the pulpal tissue (the tooth's soft core, your tooth's nerve center) and allow access into the canals.

Step 2

A pocket of pus (abscess) has formed at the tip of the tooth's root, however sometimes with an acute pulpitis there maybe no pus at the tip, but internal swelling inside of the tooth (pulp). This diseased pulp and infection must be cleaned out with special files. These files are like little "pipe cleaners".

Step 3

The canals are cleaned and shaped. This may be completed in a single visit or require several visits depending on the health of the tooth and the access to the tip of the root.

Step 4

The canals are clean (yellow) The pulp chamber and root canals are permanently filled and sealed to prevent bacteria from entering the root canals. (A temporary filling is placed to protect the tooth until the next appointment.)

Step 5

The missing tooth structure is replaced with a filling and the tooth is returned to function. A tooth that has been root canalled is subject to cracking, therefore a crown is recommended to restore the tooth to its natural structure and appearance.