What is a Root Canal?
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Root canal treatment removes the diseased inner pulp tissue of a tooth in order to stop painful
inflammation and to prevent a dental abscess. Without endodontic treatment, diseased teeth would
need to be extracted. Root canal treatment stops the disease process and prevents infection so that
the tooth can continue to provide function throughout life. Most root canal treatments are done with local anesthetics just as would be provided at your dentist’s office for a filling or crown. A rubber dam is placed around the tooth that acts as a surgical barrier to prevent saliva from contaminating the root canal with bacteria, and to prevent disinfecting solutions from contact with the mouth. A small opening is made in the chewing surface of the tooth or crown to gain access to the root canal spaces. Small instruments are navigated to the tips of the roots, and then used to enlarge, disinfect, and clean the roots. Once the roots are clean inside, they are filled with a rubber material that will stay permanently inside the roots to prevent recontamination. Once the root canal is treated, the tooth needs to be restored by your general dentist. Sometimes this restoration is a filling, and sometimes it is a crown (porcelain cap). |
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