Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatments, also called endodontic treatments, include root canal therapy (root canal treatment), re-treatment, surgery, cracked teeth, and traumatic dental injuries. Please go to American Association of Endodontists – Patient Information for detail explanations.

Root canal therapy (root canal treatment) main purpose is to save natural tooth and prevent extraction. This treatment generally involves removing the nerve tissue (pulp) that has become unhealthy or dead in the center of the tooth. The interior of the tooth (root canal or root canals) is thoroughly cleansed under a surgical operating microscope with specialized instruments and solutions. Then, it is filled with a special material that conforms to the unique anatomy of this tooth root canal system. Finally, the tooth is sealed with a temporary filling material. Your dentist will replace this temporary filling with a permanent filling or a cap (crown).

Re-treatment and surgery are complications from a tooth had prior root canal therapy. Cracked teeth and traumatic dental injuries involving pulp damage will require root canal therapy.

After Treatment

After root canal therapy or re-treatment completion, our office will send a report to your restorative dentist. Your tooth is sealed with temporary restoration. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to permanently re-build and protect this tooth. You need to contact your restorative dentist for this root canal therapy tooth’s follow-up restoration within 2 to 6 weeks to prevent re-contamination of the root canal(s) or fracture of this tooth.

After Surgery

Immediately after surgery, some discomfort and slight swelling will occur while incisions at surgical site are healing. This is normal for any surgical procedure. Pain medication will control post-operative discomfort. Usually, sutures will be removed in 5 to 7 days and surgical incisions will heal after 2 weeks.