Root Canal Therapy

Although one of the more feared procedures, a root canal procedure is actually an effective way to stopping the spread of infection by removing infected tissue and more importantly, it is virtually painless for most patients.

Root canal procedures are necessary when an infection spreads to the inside of the tooth, affecting the nerves. Symptoms of an interior infection include sensitivity to touch, cold and hot foods, as well as pain radiating from the tooth. If the infection is not taken care of right away, pus can develop within the tooth and create an abscess. The procedure is designed to save the healthy portion of the tooth and avoid its extraction.

A root canal procedure takes 2 to 3 visits during which the dentist drills a hold through the tooth and extracts the infected tissue, cleanses and disinfects the area and places a crown to permanently seal the hole. If a crown is not desires at the time, in most cases the dentist will fill the hole with appropriate material to prevent infections.