Root Canal Therapy

Each tooth has soft tissue inside with nerves traversing from crown to root (Figure 1). A deep cavity, crack, or other tooth trauma can cause the nerve to become damaged and infected. Without treatment, this can cause pain, swelling, more serious infection, and eventually tooth loss and bone loss.

Figure 1. This schematic reveals the anatomical structure of a tooth. When a crack, large cavity, or trauma violates the pulp, which is the center of the tooth that contains abundant nerves and blood supply, the tooth will respond with severe throbbing and spontaneous pain.

Root Canal Therapy Procedure

Root canal therapy is one of the most delicate procedures in dentistry and requires a high degree of precision. When we perform endodontic treatment, also known as root canal therapy, proper tooth isolation from saliva and other contaminants is crucial for successful treatment. To achieve this necessary sterile environment, a rubber dam will be utilized to separate the affected tooth from the rest of the oral cavity. After a rubber dam is placed, only the tooth receiving the root canal therapy will be exposed; your tongue, gums, and the rest of your teeth will be under the rubber dam.

Figure 2. This image reveals successful placement of the rubber dam. As seen, only the tooth is exposed; all other parts of the mouth lie under the dam to prevent contamination of the tooth.

Once we are able to confirm absolute sterility, we carefully remove damaged tissue and nerves from the tooth through a succession of rotary instruments. Various disinfectant solutions are used to gently clean the root canal system to eliminate all bacteria. A series of safe digital x-rays will be taken throughout the root canal procedure to ensure removal of all the nerves that traverse the entire root(s) of the infected tooth. After damaged tissue, nerves, and bacteria have been thoroughly removed, the root canal system is sealed to prevent further contamination and re-infection. Finally, a crown is placed over the treated tooth to encourage strength and serve as a second layer of seal.

Many people may have heard that root canal procedures are extremely painful. Dr. Jason at Paragon Dentistry wants to clear this misconception:

No dental procedures, including root canal therapy, should ever be painful if the patient is properly numbed.

At Paragon Dentistry, patient comfort is our priority and we will ensure that you are always numbed properly so you can undergo a painless procedure. It is never a convenient time for a toothache, so relief from the pain of an infected tooth is an immediate, welcome benefit of root canal therapy. Visit us at Paragon Dentistry, experience the Paragon difference, and see why our patients love us!