Endodontic (root canal) treatment treats the inside of the tooth. Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection of root canal system of teeth can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, faulty crowns, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, trauma to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess. During root canal treatment, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Afterward, the tooth is restored with a crown or filling for protection. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

Initially the symptoms can be mild, such as sensitivity to hot or cold, or both, or possibly discomfort when you bite. We recommend that if you have toothache or any of these symptoms, you should see your dentist for an x-ray and diagnosis. Doing nothing should not be an option.

You should make sure you see a dentist as soon as possible as you may need root canal treatment. If you have a complex problem, your dentist will most probably refer you to a specialist dentist so your tooth can be saved. You may be given antibiotics and painkillers which will also reduce any infection and swelling. Opening up your tooth, removing the inflammed or infected pulp will quickly get rid of the problem.

With modern anaesthetic techniques there will be no pain. We will numb the part of the mouth which is being treated. That feeling of numbness usually subsides an hour or so after the end of your treatment..

Your jaw may feel a little sore or the tooth may feel tender as the anaesthetic wears off. If necessary we will recommend over the counter medications. As for the tooth, you should soon enjoy the benefit of having a tooth which feels healthy again!

We will complete most procedures in a single visit. During your examination, we will thoroughly explain options as well as answer any questions you might have. We will review your symptoms and digital x-ray with you and determine if treatment is needed. If endodontic therapy is needed, we will usually complete your procedure in one appointment if possible. but sometimes, It is needed multiple visits for completion of treatment. .

Although the pulp is removed, your tooth can survive because the tooth continues to be nourished by the surrounding tissue. With regular brushing and flossing, proper diet and periodic Dental checkups your tooth should last a lifetime. While there is no guarantee, the success rate of endodontic procedures is very high. Most teeth are savable, however, if we feel that your tooth has a poor prognosis you will be informed of this at the time of consultation. Occasionally an endodontically treated tooth may need an additional surgical procedure or have to be removed.

Often the only other alternative is removal of the tooth. The extracted tooth must then be replaced with an implant, bridge or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Becauce these options require extensive surgery or Dental procedures on adjecent healthy teeth, they can be far more costly and time consuming than the endodontic procedure and restoration of the natural tooth. No matter how effective tooth replacements are, nothing is as good as your own natural tooth. You’ve probably already made an investment in saving your tooth. The payoff for choosing endodontic treatment could be healthy, functioning natural tooth for many years to come.

Most teeth can be treated endodontically. Occasionally, a tooth cannot be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn’t have adequate bone support, or the tooth cannot be restored. However, advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost. When endodontic treatment is not indicated, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth..

If your endodontically treated tooth has not healed or has developed new problems, you have the option of another procedure called endodontic surgery or apicoectomy. If endodontic retreatment is not an option due to a canal obstruction or a post being present in the canal, then endodontic surgery should be considered. In this procedure, we open the gingival tissue near the tooth to examine the underlying bone and to remove any inflamed or infected tissue. The removal of the very end of the root is called an apicoectomy. After cleaning the root end, a small biocompatible filling called MTA is placed to seal the canals. Sutures are placed in the gingiva to help stabilize the tissue for proper healing. Over a period of months, the bone heals around the end of the root. Most patients return to work or other routine activities the next day.

The risk associated with radiation exposure from Dental radiographs are very minimal. While x-rays will be necessary during your endodontic treatment, we use a system called computerized digital radiography. The radiation levels used by this system can be to 90 percent lower than those of conventional Dental x-ray systems.

New trauma, deep decay, or a loose, cracked or broken filling can cause new infection in your tooth. In some cases, your endodontist may discover additional very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure. Also periodontal (gum) disease can be a cause of failure..

Teeth can get discolored due to any of the following reasons: 1. The tooth can get discolored if any pulp tissue is left inside the tooth 2. Medications used during the root canal treatment can also cause tooth discoloration 3. It can also get discolored depending on the material that is used to build the crown of the tooth 4. Tooth can also get discolored if remnants of the root canal sealers are left in the crown portion of the tooth. If there is any discoloration, there is nothing to worry about as the natural appearance.