What does root canal therapy involve?
Root canal therapy is performed when the nerve or tooth pulp becomes infected or diseased. This involves using local anesthetic to numb the area, removing the infected nerve tissue and draining the abscess, shaping and cleaning and medicating the root canals, and then filling the canals with an inert material (gutta percha). This is often followed by a temporary filling and capped with a permanent filling some time after the infection has subsided. Often this treatment will necessitate reevaluation to further protect the tooth with either a filling or crown. It is therefore performed over multiple sessions at our practice but can be performed in fewer sittings.
Root canal therapy literally requires getting to the root of your pain where the infection is and treating it then filling the tooth. The tooth effectively becomes dead and insensitive but functions perfectly normally.
In restoring a tooth without sufficient structure, we may need to use further support for the tooth using a small metallic rod called a post, which protrudes from the root a few millimeters. A core or filling is then used to secure the rod in place.
Do i need root canal therapy?
When there's sudden and longlasting pain, sensitivity to cold/hot, swelling, it may indicate infection of a tooth requiring root canal therapy.
Symptoms that can be experienced include spontaneous and long-lasting pain, pain when chewing, as well as sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures. There may also be swelling of the gum tissue around the tooth and occasionally leaking pus if the tooth is infected and abscessed. Abscessed teeth that are not treated can cause severe infections in the face and jaws, and in rare cases can spread throughout the body.
A root canal treatment is recommended only if the infected nerve tissue cannot be treated or if the nerve has died. It is recommended after examination that usually requires an intra-oral xray and other investigatory procedures.
What is the cost of this treatment?
This is a lengthy and sometimes difficult treatment and will typically cost around $1000-1500 total which can be paid over multiple sessions.
Contact us:
If you are concerned you may need root canal therapy, contact us for an appointment as soon as possible. One of dentists will happily address your concerns.
