What is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is a procedure performed with local anesthetic, which involves the removal of the nerve inside the tooth because it has become damaged or infected. This is usually due to the entry of bacteria into the center most part of the tooth, called the dental pulp (nerve).

What is the root canal procedure?

Once we perform tests on the tooth and recommend therapy, Dr. Belter may perform the treatment or may refer you to an endodontist (a pulp specialist).

Access—A hole is drilled into the tooth, until the hollow root canal is reached. If the tooth has a crown, filling, or other restoration, the hole is frequently made through it, and restored after the root canal procedure is completed.
Pulp removal—Using specialized instruments, the nerve tissue and larger blood vessels are removed from inside the tooth's root canal.
Medication—An Antibacterial agent is used to disinfect the root canal.
Debridement—The root canal is further cleaned, shaped and enlarged by using flexible tapered files.
Drying—When the canals have been enlarged and shaped to the desired outcome, they are rinsed to remove the filings and dried with paper points.
Obturation—The root canals are sealed with a rubbery material called "Gutta Percha" which seals and protects the tooth against bacterial infection at a later date. The goal of endodontic treatment is to completely fill the inside of the canals all the way to the tip of the roots.
Access Filling/Core Buildup/Final Crown—After a tooth has a root canal, it becomes brittle and sometimes discolored. A crown is normally placed over the tooth to strengthen its structure and improve appearance. The crown procedure is done at a separate appointment.

Why do I feel pain?

When the pulp becomes infected due to a deep cavity or fracture that allows bacteria to seep in, or injury due to trauma, it can die. Damaged or dead pulp causes increased blood flow and cellular activity, and pressure cannot be relieved from inside the tooth. Pain in the tooth is commonly felt when biting down, chewing on it and applying hot or cold foods and drinks.

Why do I need root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy is necessary because the tooth will not heal by itself. Without treatment, the infection will spread, bone around the tooth will begin to degenerate and the tooth may fall out. Pain usually worsens until one is forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative is to extract the tooth, which can cause surrounding teeth to shift crookedly, resulting in a bad bite. Though an extraction is cheaper, the space left behind will require an implant or a bridge, which can be more expensive than root canal therapy. If you have the choice, it's always best to keep your original teeth. The longer your prolong treatment, the worse the situation will become, often resulting in more expensive and more painful procedures than if it was taken care of sooner.

What are the risks and complications?

More than 95 percent of root canal treatments are successful. However, sometimes a procedure needs to be redone due to diseased canal offshoots that went unnoticed or the fracture of a filing instrument, both of which rarely occur. Occasionally, a root canal therapy will fail altogether, marked by a return of pain.

What happens after treatment?

Natural tissue inflammation may cause discomfort for a few days, which can be controlled by an over-the-counter analgesic. A follow-up exam can monitor tissue healing. From this point on, brush and floss as normal, avoid chewing hard foods with the treated tooth, and visit Dr. Belter regularly.  

Root Canal Technology

No one wants to get a root canal. So if you need one, you want it to take minimal time and be done right. At Bridgeview Dental we make sure that happens with our root canal system: Obtura II from Obtura/Spartan. The Obtura II system rapidly fills even the most difficult root canal systems insuring a 3-D complete seal with efficient and predictable results and the best seal possible.