Root Canal Therapy

What is a root canal?

The root canal is part of the underlying structure of the tooth. Underneath the enamel of the tooth is the dentin and at the center is the soft pulp. The soft pulp carries the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth. This pulp extends down each root (up to four) through a narrow passage. The area of the root that contains the pulp is known as the root canal.

When is a root canal therapy done?

When tooth decay or a fracture exposes the pulp of the tooth, bacteria can infect the pulp. When this happens the tooth will continue to deteriorate until action is taken. If no action is taken the tooth will become progressively more painful and the infection may spread to the jawbone itself. Root canal therapy is done to preserve the tooth itself and protect the surrounding tissue and bone.

What is involved in the root canal therapy procedure?

The first part of a root canal therapy treatment is to administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and the surrounding area. Next the crown of the tooth is opened to access to the pulp chamber. Root canal therapy involves the removal of the pulp from the tooth, disinfection to ward off bacteria and a special filling placed in the root canals themselves. Once the infection is cleaned and the root canals are filled the remainder of the tooth is either filled like a normal cavity or, if there is more severe loss of the tooth structure, a crown may be applied.