Underneath your tooth's outer enamel and within the dentin is an area of soft tissue called the pulp, which carries the tooth's nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. Root canals are very small, thin divisions that branch off from the top pulp chamber down to the tip of the root. Every tooth has at least one but back teeth can have many, even up to six in some molars.

Why do I feel pain?

When the pulp becomes infected due to a deep cavity or fracture that allows bacteria to seep in, or injury due to trauma, it can die. Damaged or dead pulp causes increased blood flow and cellular activity, and pressure cannot be relieved from inside the tooth. Pain in the tooth is commonly felt when biting down, chewing on it and applying hot or cold foods and drinks. The tooth may even hurt on its own and wake you up at night.

Why do I need root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy is necessary because the tooth will not heal by itself. Without treatment, infection will spread, the bone around the tooth will begin to break down and swelling, or an abscess, can occur. Pain usually worsens until one is forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative is usually extraction of the tooth, which can cause surrounding teeth to shift crookedly, resulting in a bad bite. Though an extraction is cheaper, the space left behind will require an implant or a bridge, which can be more expensive than root canal therapy. If you have the choice, it's always best to keep your original teeth. The longer your prolong treatment, the worse the situation will become, often resulting in more expensive and more painful procedures than if it was taken care of sooner.

What is a root canal procedure?

A root canal treatment is a procedure done to save the tooth by removing damaged or dead pulp in the root canal of the tooth. This is accomplished by cleaning out the diseased pulp and reshaping the canal. The canal is filled with a rubberlike substance called gutta-percha or another material to prevent recontamination of the tooth. The tooth is then permanently sealed, with possibly a post and/or a crown made of porcelain or metal alloy. This enables patients to keep the original tooth.

What is involved in root canal therapy?

Once we perform tests on the tooth and recommend therapy, Dr. Peterson may perform the treatment. If the treatment appears complex she may refer you to an endodontist (a root canal specialist). Treatment can involve one to three appointments.

First, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area. A rubber sheet is then placed around the tooth to isolate it. Next, an opening is drilled from the crown into the pulp chamber, which, along with the root canal, is cleaned of all diseased pulp and reshaped.

Medication will be rinsed into the area to fight bacteria. Depending on the condition of the tooth, the crown may then be sealed temporarily to guard against recontamination, medications may be placed in the canal or the dentist may go right ahead and fill the canals.

If you're given a temporary filling, usually on the next visit it's removed and the pulp chamber and canal(s) are filled with gutta percha or another material to prevent recontamination. If the tooth is very broken down, a metal post may be inserted above the canal filling to allow the tooth to be rebuilt. Once filled, the area is permanently sealed. Finally, a gold or porcelain crown is normally placed over the tooth to strengthen its structure and improve appearance.

What are the risks and complications?

More than 95 percent of root canal treatments are successful. However, sometimes a procedure needs to be redone due to diseased canal offshoots that went unnoticed or the fracture of a filing instrument, both of which rarely occur. Also a cyst can occur beyond the tooth in the surrounding bone that may require surgical removal. Occasionally, a root canal therapy will fail altogether, marked by a return of pain. This is often due to a deep fracture in the tooth and root.

What happens after treatment?

Natural tissue inflammation may cause discomfort for a few days, which can be controlled by an over-the-counter analgesic. A follow-up exam can monitor tissue healing. From this point on, brush and floss regularly, avoid chewing hard foods with the treated tooth, and visit Dr. Peterson regularly.