Root Canal Therapy (RCT)

Root canal therapy or endodontic treatment is performed to eliminate a tooth infection or save a dead tooth pulp or a pulp which is damaged. Root canal therapy is suggested when an infection or a decay exists on a tooth nerve.

The damage to the root or pulp of the tooth may be caused by the followings:

  • Deep and old dental caries or cavities left untreated in time.
  • Chipped or fractured tooth can allow bacteria enter into the tooth and result in the pulp infection.
  • Trauma or any injury to the mouth or teeth can damage the tooth pulp

Patients are encouraged to seek a root canal treatment when encounter the following conditions:

  • When a tooth decay has reached the tooth pulp
  • When there is an infection or abscess at the root of the tooth
  • A tooth with sustained trauma or injury

root canal therapy servicesPatients usually complain of extreme sensitivity to hot or cold along with severe toothache and possibility of tenderness or swelling of the jaw. When the inflammation and infection happens in the pulp ,the nerves start dying and the circulation to the tooth gets interrupted. As a result tooth enamel and dentin don’t get enough nutrients. Therefore toothache and and damage to the jaw bone start.

If the infection continues without treatment the tooth loses its supportive tissues ,becomes loose which makes tooth extraction the only unavoidable option.

The procedure starts with a local anesthesia to numb the affected area and tooth.A plastic rubber sheet called rubber dam is placed to prevent the entrance of saliva in the treatment area. To be able to access the tooth pulp,a hole is made on the top of the tooth. Different sizes of root canal files are used to remove the infected nerve and bacteria.

To monitor the accuracy of the procedure a few radiographies are taken during and after .A temporary or permanent filling will be placed. Tooth sensitivity or pain is normal and will diminish by the time the process of healing is completed. During the healing process chewing is forbidden on that special tooth .

A crown is recommended to protect the tooth undergone root canal therapy which also provides longer life for the tooth.

Patients are encouraged to keep their appointments on time to prevent from re infection and repeating the treatment,otherwise they can lose their tooth due to prolonged infection.

At Dentistry for You, our dentist with over two decades of training and experience in root canal therapy will be able to answer patient’s inquiries,perform root canal therapy or refer them to a specialist.

Please contact us at 905 731 1871 for any oral or dental concerns or problems.