Root Canals

The root canal is a pulp-filled cavity deep inside a tooth. Usually, this part of the tooth is well-protected, but sometimes dental trauma, extreme tooth decay, or a tooth fracture can allow harmful bacteria into the root canal and cause infection. If the tissue in your root canal is unhealthy, becomes infected or inflamed, or dies, it can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort.

To treat damaged or infected tissue in the root canal, your dentist will start by administering anesthesia to numb the affected area. She can then make a small opening in the tooth, which allows her to access root canal with instruments called endodontic files. The endodontic files are used to clean the root canal of any unhealthy tissue and shape it to prevent further infection. A biocompactable material called gutta percha is used to fill the canals, preventing further bacteria, food particles, and other debris from entering and causing damage to the tooth. With the root canal itself treated, your dentist will restore the affected tooth with a crown.

Thanks to modern anesthetics, having a root canal is typically a simple procedure and doesn't cause much more discomfort than an ordinary cavity filling. After the procedure, your mouth may remain numb for a few hours as the anesthetic wears off. You may experience some discomfort as you regain sensation in the area, but for most people pain or swelling is minimal and can be managed with over the counter painkillers. Your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to help prevent infection, especially if you have a condition-- such as diabetes or a heart valve problem-- that may delay the healing process.