Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is necessary when a tooth’s nerve is compromised by an infection or decay. The living tissue within the tooth, known as the pulp, along with decay, bacteria and nerves are removed. The open space is filled with dental materials that are highly specialized and medicated, ultimately restoring full tooth functionality. Root canal therapy ultimately saves the tooth that would have otherwise died and required removal down the line. Michael D. Levy will consider root canal therapy as well as other options before resorting to extracting the tooth.

Your root canal has a high chance of success and might even last the rest of your life. However, if there is a new infection, the tooth might require retreatment. If you notice your teeth are sensitive to temperature alterations, if you have significant toothache pain, tenderness, swelling or an abscess on the gums, you might require root canal therapy. Furthermore, if decay has moved to the tooth pulp, if there is trauma to the tooth or if there is an infection/abscess within the tooth or the root tip, root canal therapy will be necessary.

The root canal procedure involves positioning a rubber dam around the numbed tooth to ensure it is dry and void of saliva. The dentist makes an access opening at the top part of the tooth, placing root canal files into that space one at a time. The decay and other components noted above are removed so the space can be sealed with the filling. Dental materials are subsequently added to fill and seal the roots along with the interior of the cavity.