ENDODONTICS (ROOT CANAL)

When there is nerve damage or an infection (abscess) in or around your tooth, you may need to have a root canal performed. Sometimes, you will not experience any symptoms, however people typically find one or more of the following symptoms: abscess or "bump" on the gum; sensitivity to hot and cold; severe toothache; and swelling or tenderness in the mouth.

You might think that having the tooth extracted will solve your problems, but removing a tooth will end up costing you more money in the long run, and cause problems to the surrounding teeth.

While the treatment is generally painless, swelling and discomfort can occur after the therapy, although pain is manageable through the use of antibiotics and/or painkillers. A crown, usually made of porcelain, is recommended after the tooth is treated due to the high risk of the tooth fracturing.

Root canal therapy is very successful, and the results will last a lifetime. The only time you will need to come see us again, is if you develop new infections in the same tooth. In this case, the tooth will need to be retreated.

Root canal treatment is the removal of the tooth's pulp, a small, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth. Once the damaged, diseased or dead pulp is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, shaped and filled. This procedure seals off the root canal.

Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment saves many teeth that would otherwise be lost