A common reason for root canal treatment is an infected or abscessed tooth, which may result from a deep cavity, periodontal disease, or even a fractured tooth. Root Canal treatment removes the pulp tissue, which is composed of a nerve and blood supply within the tooth. After all the material has been removed from within the root, the canal or canals if it is a multi-rooted tooth, are sterilized and sealed with a material that prevents bacteria from reentering.

Because a root canal removes everything, which feeds the tooth and keeps it alive the tooth will become very brittle after a period of time. This time period varies from person to person. It is for that reason that the tooth should be restored as quickly as possible and your dentist might recommend that a post and a crown be placed as a final restoration. Back teeth are usually crowned or capped shortly after a root canal has been performed to prevent the tooth from shattering due to the pressure put on it by chewing.

Why do I need root canal therapy?

Because the tooth will not heal by itself. Without treatment, the infection will spread, bone around the tooth will begin to degenerate, and the tooth may fall out. Pain usually worsens until one is forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative is usually extraction of the tooth, which can cause surrounding teeth to shift crookedly, resulting in a bad bite. Though an extraction is cheaper, the space left behind will require an implant or a bridge, which can be more expensive than root canal therapy. If you nave the choice, it's always best to keep your original teeth.

Why do I feel pain?

When the pulp becomes infected due to a deep cavity or fracture that allows bacteria to seep in, or injury due to trauma, it can die. Damaged or dead pulp causes increased blood flow and pressure cannot be relieved from inside the tooth. Pain in the tooth is commonly felt when biting down, chewing on it and applying hot or cold foods and drinks.

My dentist told me I need a Root Canal but I don’t have any pain?

In some cases pain may not be present when a tooth needs root canal therapy. Sometimes, an infected area that may be months or years old is detected from routine x-rays. This type of root canal infection occurs when blood supply to the tooth is limited and the swelling does not get very large.

Will it hurt?

As is true for all dental procedures, root canal therapy is painless. A local anesthetic assures patient comfort. The procedure is normally completed in a single office visit, and our patients resume their normal daily routine following treatment.

What are the risks and complications?

More than 95 percent of root canal treatments are successful. However, sometimes a case needs to be redone due to diseased canal offshoots that went unnoticed .

What happens after treatment?

Natural tissue inflammation may cause discomfort for a few days, which can be controlled by an over-the-counter analgesic. A follow-up exam can monitor tissue healing. A crown will most likely be necessary to reinforce the tooth to prevent breaking. From this point on, brush and floss regularly, avoid chewing hard foods on the treated tooth, and see your dentist regularly.

What are the alternatives?

You could opt to delay treatment, but remember that an infected tooth will never heal on its own. And as it gets worse, it will continue to be a source of infection that weakens your immune system. This can affect your entire body. The damage to the bone and the swelling inside the bone can also be excruciatingly painful, and even life-threatening. We could extract the infected tooth, which would serve as a short-term solution. While it does remove the source of infection, it sets off a chain reaction of shifting teeth, which causes other more serious and costly dental problems

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