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Dental Services

Root Canal

A root canal is needed when decay (bacteria) or a large restoration has irritated the nerve in the tooth causing irreversible pulpitis (inflammation of the nerve) or an abscess. Symptoms that occur are:

  • Intermittent or constant “throbbing” pain
  • Sensitivity to hot/cold that persists for a period of time
  • Sensitivity to chewing or biting
  • A fistula or bubble forms above the tooth and drains pus (tastes salty)

A root canal is performed by removing both the decay and the nerve from the tooth. The nerve is then replaced with a “filling”. At this point, the tooth is considered dead and no longer has a blood supply or nutrients supplying the tooth. This makes the tooth vulnerable to breakage because it becomes very brittle. To prevent breakage, usually a crown is placed over the tooth.(see Crowns for more information.)

Here are some common questions about Root Canal :

How many visits does a root canal take?

Depending on the tooth, it takes between 1-3 visits.

Do root canals work?

Yes, if the tooth is properly restored. When a root canal is completed a temporary filling is usually placed. A subsequent visit is needed to remove the temporary filling and place a permanent one in its place. The tooth is then ready for a crown.If the permanent filling and crown are not placed, then the tooth can break. This can lead to tooth loss.