Non-Surgical Root Canal

Root Canal TreatmentIf you have a tooth that’s been damaged by trauma, severe decay, or repeated dental procedures, a root canal may be necessary to repair it. A root canal is a common procedure that can be performed in one visit.

To better understand a root canal, it’s important to know some basic tooth anatomy. The center of a tooth contains pulp tissue, a collection of blood vessels and nerves that enter the tooth from the root. When this pulp tissue becomes damaged or infected the tooth may become sensitive to temperature and cause discomfort when chewing or to temperature. If the damage is severe, you may experience a painful toothache and swelling around the affected area.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms a root canal may be necessary. During a root canal the pulp is removed from your tooth and the root system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. We’ll use a local anesthetic like Xylocaine to make sure your experience is as comfortable as possible.

When the procedure is complete, your tooth may be sensitive for a few days, but before long you’ll be able to chew without pain. Root canals have a great success rate and patients rarely have recurring problems with the affected tooth. Some other benefits of a root canal include:

  • You get to keep your natural teeth when a root canal is performed.
  • Repairing a natural tooth with a root canal is less expensive and less invasive than removing the tooth and replacing it with an implant and crown or a bridge.
  • Often, a root canal can most often be performed in one visit with a local anesthetic so you don’t have to miss work, school or time with your family.