Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is a very common dental procedure with millions performed each year. It is the act of removing infected or inflamed tissue in order to save your natural tooth and prevent the need for extraction and replacement. Often, the source of the problem can stem from large cavities, deep fillings, or even trauma causing pain in the tooth and gums.
After numbing the area, an access is created in the tooth and any decay removed. The inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected to remove and tissue or bacteria.
After thorough disinfection, the root is sealed with a filling and the access is either sealed with a temporary or permanent filling. We generally require you to follow up with your dentist to permanently seal the crown of the tooth with a filling or crown.
Over time, any bone affected will heal and return to normal. Occasionally, this may take anywhere from 6 months to several years. There should be no pain during this time however.