Understanding the Purpose of Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is the only way to save a tooth with a pulp infection. Left untreated, a pulp infection can kill a tooth by destroying its blood vessels and nerves. By removing the pulp and cleansing the tooth, Dr. Clark can save your tooth.    

Root canal therapy is performed under a local anesthetic, so our patients feel no pain or discomfort. We’ll wait until your tooth is totally numb before proceeding with your treatment. We can also give you a sedative to help you relax during your procedure. 

The steps to a root canal procedure are as follows:

• Dr. Clark will numb your tooth to prevent pain and discomfort. 
• We’ll drill into your tooth to gain access to the pulp and canals.
• We’ll remove the pulp along with all infected tissues.
• Dr. Clark will cleanse and disinfect your tooth and root canals to eliminate any remaining infection.
• We’ll seal your tooth with gutta percha filling to protect it from future infection.
• A crown or onlay will be placed over your tooth to support its fragile structure.

Root canal treatment will eliminate a pulp infection to save your tooth from extraction. It will keep the infection from spreading to nearby healthy teeth or other parts of your mouth. A severe oral infection that is left untreated can even enter your bloodstream, putting internal organs at risk. 

A root canal can restore your tooth’s function and usefulness for years to come. It can prevent premature tooth loss and save you the time and expense of extraction and restorative treatment to replace your tooth in the future. Through root canal treatment, you can avoid losing natural teeth to preserve the beauty of your smile. Keeping your smile intact is one of the greatest benefits of this treatment.