San Antonio Veneers and Implants

Root Canal Therapy

Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is treatment used to repair and save a tooth that has been infected due to a deep cavity or a fracture. The treatment involves removing the pulp and the nerve of the tooth and cleaning the infected area. A tooth's pulp and nerve are not essential to a tooth's position and function after the tooth has been infected or damaged. If the treatment is not performed, an infection and pressure builds up at the root tip and the infection can spread to the surrounding tissues and bone. The infection results in pain and swelling and the tooth would likely have to be removed.

What are the signs that a root canal is needed?
Severe tooth pain while chewing.
The tooth pain wakes you up at night.
The tooth is highly sensitive to hot or cold, with the sensitivity lingering for some time. Discoloration or darkening of the tooth.
Swollen cheek and/or gums.
An abscess in the area of the infected tooth.


What does the treatment involve?

First, an opening is made into the pulp chamber through the crown of the tooth. Once the pulp is removed, the root canal is thoroughly cleaned. If the dentist decides to complete the root canal therapy in multiple visits, a temporary filling will be placed to protect the tooth. When you return, the dentist will remove the temporary filling, re-clean the root canal and pulp chamber and fill it with a permanent filling material. Later a permanent crown is placed over the tooth to prevent fracturing.

Root canal therapy has a high rate of success. Many teeth undergoing the procedure can be saved to last a lifetime. Additionally, the crown placed at the completion of the procedure is very natural in appearance and makes it hard to notice that you had the treatment.