Root Canals

Root canal therapy treats problems of the dental pulp (the soft tissue inside the crown and root of teeth). When the dental pulp of a tooth is diseased or injured, root canal treatment provides us a safe way of saving your teeth and helping restore your natural smile!

When is root canal treatment necessary?

Within each tooth the dental pulp provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth. When the pulp is diseased or injured, usually due to a tooth decay or trauma to the tooth, the pulp tissue dies. When the infected tooth is not treated, pain and swelling can result. Further, the infection can injure your jaw bones and your overall health.

What is root canal treatment?

During treatment, the diseased pulp is removed, and the root canal(s) of the tooth are then cleaned and sealed. The entire procedure usually takes 1-3 appointments depending on the severity of the infection and complexity of the root canal system. Because some teeth are more challenging to treat than others, we may refer you to an endodontist, a dentist who specializes in diseases of the pulp, to have your root canal treatment completed.

How long will the restored tooth last?

Once the root canal procedure is complete, it is essential that the tooth be properly restored or the root canal system will become re-infected and the treatment will ultimately fail.

However, if you continue to care for your teeth and gums, a properly restored tooth can last a lifetime.