Root Canals

Root canal (endodontic) treatment becomes necessary when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected or injured. Without this treatment, the tooth's nerve dies and may affect the adjacent healthy tissue, causing more disease. Many years ago, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you would probably lose the tooth. Today that tooth can be saved with a root canal.

When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp and cause an infection. If the tooth is left without treatment, pus builds up at the root tip in the jawbone, forming a "pus pocket" called an abcess. An abcess causes the pulp tissue to die. If the infected pulp is not removed through root canal, pain and swelling usually result. Other side effects of this infection can injure your jawbone and overall health and reduce your immune system.

Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little to no discomfort once the infection has been temporarily neutralized, usually with antibiotics.

During treatment, the diseased pulp is removed. The pulp chamber and canals of the tooth root are then cleaned out and sealed. The last step is to place a crown over the tooth to protect it from breaking. This whole treatment may involve from one to three visits.

We are dedicated to making this treatment as easy as possible for you by answering your questions and walking you through the treatment step-by-step.