Root canal treatment is one of the most common dental procedures performed, with over 14 million completed every year. This simple treatment can save your natural tooth and prevent the need for a dental implant or bridge.
At the center of your tooth is the dental pulp. The pulp is a collection of blood vessels and other tissues that help to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums.
If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend root canal treatment to remove the diseased pulp. This injured or infected pulp is removed and the root canal system thoroughly cleaned and sealed. Root canal treatment involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 85-90% of cases. If your tooth is not a good candidate for endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment. You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you will probably be comfortable returning to your normal routine. Depending on your case, you may need to return to your dentist for a more permanent restoration for the tooth or for additional treatment planning and care.
