Root Canal Therapy

Instead of having a problem tooth removed, we can usually save it from an extraction with root canal therapy. When the nerve of a tooth is affected by trauma, decay or an abscess, endodontic treatment allows us to preserve the tooth so that it continues to function for the long term.

What Is a Root Canal?

During endodontic therapy, we access the infected or traumatised nerve by creating a small opening in the top of your tooth. Next, the tissues are cleaned out and the hollow chamber is medicated then sealed off with a particular type of filling. Except instead of the filling staying in the upper (crown) portion of your tooth, it extends through the length of the root.

After getting a root canal, your tooth will be weaker and more prone to wear. We recommend getting a crown to protect your bite’s function and avoid any chipping to the underlying tooth structure.

Keeping You Comfortable

People often become worried about getting a root canal because of the stories they’ve heard in the past. Fortunately, advanced methods and technology can make endodontic therapy much more comfortable than you might expect.

First and foremost, our primary concern is to make sure your tooth is numb. If at any point in the process you feel uncomfortable, we will stop working. Unless the tooth is profoundly numb, your root canal will be delayed.

Fortunately, getting a root canal helps alleviate pain rather than cause it. However, we understand that your first encounter with endodontic treatment can be a daunting experience. Even though it’s a fairly common procedure, we do try to put you at ease as best as possible. It’s our goal to ensure a pleasant experience for every procedure, including root canal therapy.

Alternatives to Root Canals

Since root canals treat the inside of your tooth, there are typically no other alternatives other than having an extraction. Avoiding treatment will allow pain to continue and infection to spread. If we need to pre-treat the swelling with an antibiotic, a root canal is still necessary to prevent the infection from recurring. Simply covering the tooth with a crown would trap the bacteria inside, ultimately leading to an abscess.