Root Canal

A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected.

When teeth develop dental decay, the infection over time damages the enamel and dentin. With time, the infection can extend into the pulp of the tooth. This area has the blood supply to the tooth. Since this area is closed space, the infection cannot easily resolve and the pulp becomes infected and necrotic. A root canal will be needed to clean and seal this area of the tooth to correct the problem.

The patient usually feels pain, and at times, significant swelling develops. Root canal treatment involves removal of the infected pulp chamber, cleaning, and replacement with special material that permanently seals the tooth.

Root canal procedures have the reputation of being painful, when in fact, most people report that the procedure itself is no more painful than having a filling placed. The discomfort experienced in the period leading up to seeking a root canal is truly the painful period of time, not the root canal procedure itself.