Problems like tooth decay or infection can damage your teeth and ruin your smile. A damaged tooth may give you severe pain and won’t go away on its own. It could even need to be extracted. So, a root canal, also known as endodontic treatment, may save your tooth. All dentists are trained to perform this treatment, and your dentist will be able to do it. However, some treatments can be complicated and require a referral to an endodontist or a dentist with a special interest in root canal treatment.

These dentists and specialists have advanced training in root canal treatment. They are experts in saving your natural teeth using advanced tools, such as microscopes and digital imaging, to treat you easily and safely. To understand what a root canal is, we will show you the basic structure of the tooth.

A tooth has two primary sections: the crown section and the root section. The crown is the portion of the tooth that is visible above the gum, and the root is the section of the tooth that is inside the jawbone. The crown is mainly formed by two layers: the enamel, which is the hardest substance in the body, and the layer below the enamel called the dentin.

The pulp is a soft mass of tissue present under the dentin layer that contains blood vessels and nerves to nourish the teeth. It extends from the crown down the length of the root through what is called the root canal. There are many reasons why the pulp can become inflamed or infected.
To relieve you from pain or discomfort, the endodontist will have to remove the inflamed tissue or bacteria inside the root canal to allow the surrounding tissues to heal. The first step in the procedure is to take an X-ray that displays the entire teeth to see the shape of the root canals. Then, using various dental drills, an opening is made through the crown into the pulp chamber. The infected contents of the pulp chamber are carefully removed using a series of tiny files of increasing diameter. After cleaning the root canal, the space created is filled with cones made of a natural substance called gutta-percha, covered with a liquid sealer. Sometimes, one or more posts may be placed to strengthen the tooth and help retain the final filling. The tooth is then restored with a permanent filling material.

The root canal tooth is weak and at risk of fracture, so it is advisable to have a crown or a large filling to cover the surface of the tooth, called an onlay. Although it is a complex and time-consuming treatment, it can easily be done using local anesthetic and modern techniques with little or no discomfort. The success rates of root canals are over 90% and often last a lifetime.
If you have a bad toothache, we can tell if you need a root canal treatment. Give us a call, and we will help you smile again.