Root Canal Treatment
What is a Root Canal?
If you are reading this, chances are you have been told that you need a root canal. No worries, you are in good hands and you are not alone! Millions of teeth are treated and saved with root canal therapy every year, relieving pain and making teeth healthy again.
This page explains root canal treatment and how it can relieve pain and save your teeth.
A Step-by-step guide to Root Canals
What to do after your treatment
Care post-treatment is vital. Keeping your teeth in good shape means not having to come in for retreatment later in life!
“Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek for “tooth.”
Some basic anatomy will help in understanding endodontic treatment. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development.
The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root. The pulp is important during a tooth’s growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by its surrounding tissues.
Deep decay, repeated dental procedures, cracks or trauma can lead to inflammation or infection of the pulp. If left untreated, inflammation or infection can cause pain or lead to an abscess. Endodontic treatment relieves the pain of inflammation and removes infection from the roots.
Dr. Schmoldt is highly trained in modern techniques and anesthetics. The vast majority of his patients report that they were comfortable throughout the entire procedure.
Some mild to moderate tenderness and sensitivity is normal and expected for the first few days after treatment, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. A very small number of cases, however, can lead to a few days of increased pain and/or swelling. Dr. Schmoldt and his staff will discuss your unique situation and what to expect and how to manage any discomfort.
Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. If you have severe pain, pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days, call the office at any time.
The endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the root canal, then fills and seals the space. Afterward, you will return to your dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth. Most endodontically treated teeth can last a lifetime.