Root Canal Therapy
Root Canal Therapy (RCT) is one of the most common dental procedures. A fairly simple procedure that can save your natural tooth and prevent the need for a bridge or implant later on.
Root Canal Therapy involves removing the nerve and blood supply (pulp) of the tooth, disinfecting, and finally sealing off the root canal system. RCT is recommended whenever decay or trauma goes beyond the dentin (middle) layer of the tooth. Symptoms of a diseased or infected pulp include swelling, sensitivity to hot/cold and/or throbbing nocturnal pain.
Root canal therapy first involves numbing the tooth with local anesthesia to eliminate any discomfort. Next the doctor will remove the infected or injured pulp, disinfect the canal and finally fill the tooth with a medicated material. The tooth is then capped with a crown or filling for strength and stability.
The most important factor in a successful root canal, is follow up examinations. At these appointments, with the use of radiographs, the doctor can determine if the area around the previously infected root canal has healed.