Root Canal Therapy

What is root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy is an endodontic procedure used to treat damaged or infected tooth pulp. 

Pulp is inside each tooth and contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. It enables you to feel temperature sensations but isn’t necessary for a tooth’s survival. Removing the pulp eliminates infection and inflammation and preserves your oral health. 

When is root canal therapy necessary?

Fremaux Dental Care uses root canal therapy to treat tooth pulp damage caused by:

• Deep decay
• Blows to the mouth
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Undergoing extensive dental work

If you experience swelling, increased sensitivity, or a sensation of heat in your gums, contact your dentist immediately.

What does root canal therapy involve?

Root canal therapy is an outpatient procedure that features several steps, including:

Step one - Anesthetic

Your dentist administers nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or oral conscious sedation, ensuring your comfort. 

Step two - Tooth pulp removal

Next, they use special tools to carefully remove the infected or inflamed pulp from the center of your tooth.

Step three - Antibiotics and cleaning

Your dentist rinses out the center of your tooth with an antibiotic solution, eliminating the infection and harmful bacteria. Then, they carefully clean out each of your root canals.

Step four - Gutta-percha and digital impressions

Your dentist fills your tooth with a soft material called gutta-percha then takes a series of digital impressions.

Step five - Design, craft, and apply a custom crown

They upload your impressions to a computer-design program and create a blueprint for a custom crown. Your dentist uploads the design to the CEREC milling machine, and the machine creates a crown from a block of ceramic.

When the machine finishes, your dentist bonds the crown on top of your treated tooth. 

What is recovery like after root canal therapy?

After root canal therapy, it’s normal to experience some mild swelling and increased tooth sensitivity. Avoid biting down on your new crown for at least a day so the bonding material has plenty of time to dry. 

A new crown takes a bit of getting used to. Brush and floss more gently than usual for the first few days, and avoid using your teeth as tools. Don’t chew on ice cubes and avoid bad habits like nail-biting. By following these tips, your crown may last 10-12 years* or longer.

Call Fremaux Dental Care to learn more about root canal therapy today or make your appointment online. 

*Individual results may vary.

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