What is Root Canal Treatment?

Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the nerves of the teeth. Root canal treatment is probably the most notorious procedure in dentistry and the most common procedure relating to endodontics. Despite its painful reputation, root canal treatment is used to save teeth from infection. Most patients associate the pain of their toothache with the procedure itself, but their discomfort is caused by inflammation and infection.

When a tooth becomes infected, it is usually related to the nerves in the root of the tooth. The infected nerves need to be removed to relieve your pain and clear the infection. If left untreated, an infection can turn into an abscess, which is a much more serious problem that includes tooth loss and bone loss in the jaw. Our first priority is to save your tooth and treat your infection to help restore the health of your smile.

How is Root Canal Treatment Performed?

Root canal treatment is a relatively simple procedure and can be performed in one visit. During your root canal treatment, we will numb your tooth with local anesthesia for your comfort. Our dentist will use a special rotary endodontic tool to remove the infected nerves and tissue from inside your tooth.

Then our dentist will thoroughly clean the tooth to flush out the remaining bacteria. Once your tooth is cleaned and dried, we will seal it with a dental crown. A dental crown will restore your tooth’s natural look, function and strength.