Root Canals

Your teeth generally have between one and four canals, tiny passageways that branch off from the top of the tooth (pulp chamber) and go downward to the tip of the root.

Many tooth problems involve infections that spread to the pulp, that area inside the chamber of the tooth containing blood vessels, nerves and other tissues. When the infection becomes worse or if a traumatic injury to the tooth occurs, it can begin affecting the pulp and/or roots. Infection inside the tooth can bring many problems, beginning with pain and sensitivity and potentially more serious problems when the infection causes pus to develop inside, leading to an abscess.

To avoid losing the tooth altogether, root canal therapy provides an effective treatment with a very high success rate. It involves removing the diseased tissue, cleaning the root canal of bacteria to halt the spread of infection and restoring the healthy portion of the tooth. If the tooth is very weak, a metal post may be inserted above the canal filling to reinforce it. The tooth is then sealed with a permanent filling and for an example a porcelain crown to strengthen its structure and improve its appearance. This enables patients to keep their original tooth.