Endodontics (Root Canal Treatment)

Root canals are common procedures and can help save your tooth from extraction.

Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime. Years ago, diseased or injured teeth were usually pulled. But today, a tooth can often be saved through root canal treatment. Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with treating diseases or injuries to the dental pulp.

services-endodontics-tooth-diagram

 

What happens if the dental pulp is injured?

The pulp is soft tissue inside the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves. When the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, treatment is needed. The most common causes of pulp inflammation or infection are a cracked or chipped tooth, a deep cavity or filling or other serious injury to the tooth. All of these can allow bacteria to enter the pulp.

 

Why should the pulp be removed?

If damaged or infected pulp is not removed, the tissues around the root of the tooth can become infected. Pain and swelling often result. Even if there is no pain, bacteria can damage the bone that holds the tooth in the jaw. Without treatment, the tooth may have to be removed.

 

Removing a tooth can create problems

When a tooth is removed and not replaced, the teeth around it may shift. This can make biting and chewing difficult and may make it harder to clean your teeth. Areas that are not cleaned well are more likely to get gum disease. Root canal treatment can prevent these problems by saving your natural tooth. Also, root canal treatment is usually less expensive than a replacement tooth.

 

What does treatment involve?

Root canal treatment may involve one or more dental visits. Your dentist or endodontist (dentist who specializes in root canals) will perform the necessary steps to save your tooth:

  • First, your tooth is numbed for your comfort. An opening is made through the crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber.
  • The tooth’s nerve, or pulp, is removed from the pulp chamber and root canal (the space inside the root). Each root canal is cleaned and shaped so it can be filled.
  • Your dentist will flush medicine or disinfectants in the pulp chamber and root canal to help get rid of bacteria.
  • The root canals are usually filled with a root canal filling material called gutta percha.
  • A temporary filling is then placed in the outer part of the tooth above the root canaled portion to prevent contamination of the root canals. You might be given antibiotics if the infection has spread beyond the end of the root(s). If your dentist prescribes medicine, use it only as directed. If you have any problems with the medicine, call your dentist.
  • During the next stage of treatment, the dentist removes the temporary filling and restores the tooth with a crown or a filling to strengthen it and improve the way it looks.

Tooth decay can cause an abscess (infection)

The decay is removed and an opening is made through the crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber

The pulp is removed and the root canals are cleaned and shaped

The root canals and pulp chamber are filled

A metal or plastic rod or post may be placed in the root canal to help retain the core (filling) material, which supports the restoration (crown)

The tooth is then restored with a crown or filling

How long will the restored tooth last?

When properly restored, a tooth with a root canal filling can last for many years and possibly a lifetime. But, like any other tooth, it can become decayed or fractured or the tissue around it may develop gum disease. If the tooth was not initially crowned after the root canal treatment, it may discolor and darken over time. It can be restored with a crown or veneer, or a method called internal whitening may whiten the tooth from the inside. 

Daily cleanings and regular dental exams will help keep your mouth healthy, whether you’ve had root canal treatment or not.

Make an appointment

Patient ReviewS

OTHER SERVICES

Specialty

Botox®

Botox® is a natural, purified protein that is used in dentistry to treat: Headaches Chronic migraines Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) Temporomandibular disorder (TMD, jaw

Learn More »

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is an effective way to achieve the smile you have always wanted Discolored, stained, chipped, worn, misaligned, broken or spaced teeth may be

Learn More »
Technology & Other

Digital Impressions

Digital impressions replace the traditional goopy impression material that was used to take molds of the teeth.   What are digital impressions? Digital impressions (also

Learn More »
carbon dioxide CO2 laser
Technology & Other

Laser Dentistry

Lasers have been used in dentistry since 1990 and are used for a wide range of dental procedures.   What is a laser and how

Learn More »

Search Seattle Smiles Dental