What is a root canal?

A root canal is a procedure that involves the removal of the nerves and blood vessels within a tooth. This area is referred to as the pulp. It can become infected by trauma, or as a result of decay that allows bacteria to enter into the pulp.

Once the pulp is infected with bacteria, an infection develops. Left untreated it can be come quite serious and spread infection throughout the body. An infected tooth may be very sensitive as infection builds within the tooth. There may be a throbbing, or pain strong enought to wake you at night. The tooth tends to be less painful when an abscess develops and the infection is able to escape from the inner tissues. An absess may appear like a small pimple on the gum tissue that you can press against and see a fluid (pus) come out of.

Over time the tooth will eventually die and stop hurting but the bacteria is still present, and spreading throughout your body. It is not a healthy situation. The infection needs to be removed and the space where the dead tissue/infection is filled with a material to prevent bacteria from entering. This process is known as a root canal.

The procedure may take one or more appointments depending on the particular tooth involved, the number of roots and the extend of the infection. When a large amount of infection is present we me first place you on antibiotics to reduce the infection and help with healing. Infection can interfere with local anesthetic/freezing so we want to ensure that you are comfortable before treating the tooth.

The tooth will be 'frozen' and the infected material removed using first a small drill and then a number of small files to ensure we reach the end of the root. We will also fluch the canals of the root with a disinfectant prior to filling them with a plastic sealer. After the root canal is complete we will restore the small opeing we made in the tooth to access the nerves and blood vessels.

Any tooth that is 'dead' will become brittle over time. Therefore we generally recommend placing a crown or onlay following a root canal. This will prevent the tooth from future fracture by covering the cusps (biting surface of the tooth). This will generally be done at a separate appointment. In the interm please be careful if you are biting anything hard so as not to damage this tooth.