What Is A Root Canal?

Has your dentist referred you to an endodontist to get a root canal(endodontic treatment)? Millions of teeth are saved each year with root canal treatment but most people don't know what it entails, they only know it has a reputation of being pain full.


A root canal is a treatment of the pulp of the tooth that is inflamed, infected or dead. There are many reasons why the tooth has became inflamed: deep tooth decay, faulty crown, chip/cracked tooth or even damage to the tooth.




During the procedure the inflamed or infected area is removed and the inside of the tooth in carefully cleaned, then filled and sealed with a rubber-like substance called Gutta-percha. The tooth most likely will need a crown to protect it from fracturing in the future. Depending on the dentist some do the crown right away and some wait a brief period of time to make sure you are pain free before continuing on with the crown. After the restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.