Root Canal Therapy

Overview of Non Surgical Endodontic Therapy: When the pulp tissue inside the tooth becomes infected, inflamed, or traumatized a tooth may be a candidate for root canal therapy. Inflammation or infection from a tooth is caused from deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or an accident involving a blow to the tooth.

Process:

If it is determined that root canal therapy is needed to save your tooth, endodontic treatment will be initiated.

	The first step of the root canal treatment is to use a cleaning instrument to identify the length of the tooth.
	After cleaning and shaping is completed, the permanent rubber filling is fitted for each canal, heated, and compacted into each canal.
	When the case is complete, the root canal system is cleaned, shaped, and filled to the end of the root and the terminus of the canal. In time, the bone will regenerate.

Endodontic Retreatment

With appropriate care, teeth that have received endodontic treatment will be as durable as natural teeth. In some cases, a tooth may need endodontic retreatment. Occasionally, the tooth has symptoms that may include pain or sensitivity. Symptoms may occur in months, years, or often never after treatment. If your tooth has failed to heal or has developed new symptoms, endodontic retreatment may save your tooth.

Process:

The first step of an endodontic retreatment is to remove restorative materials such as a crown or filling to allow access to the root canals. This allows removal of the failing root canal filling.

Next, the root canals are examined, cleaned, and shaped. In addition to these steps, exploring for additional untreated canals is done.

After the canals are cleaned, shaped, and measured; the endodontist will fill and seal the canals. The tooth will be restored with a temporary filling; your general dentist will place a permanent filling in the tooth.