Root Canal
Dental Root Canals
Millions of teeth are successfully treated and saved each year with root canal therapy
Root canal treatment is a straightforward procedure to relieve dental pain with the goal of saving your tooth. Patients typically need a root canal when there is inflammation or infection in the roots of a tooth.
During root canal treatment, Dr. Ross will carefully remove the pulp inside the tooth, clean, disinfect and shape the root canals, and place a filling to seal the space.
You will then need to have a crown to protect the tooth.
What Are Root Canals?
Inside your tooth, beneath the white enamel and a hard layer called dentin, is a soft tissue called pulp. This tissue contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, which help grow the root of your tooth during its development. A fully developed tooth can survive without the pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.
Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay repeated dental procedures on the tooth or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, an injury 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.
Saving the natural tooth with root canal treatment has many advantages:
- Efficient chewing
- Normal biting force and sensation
- Natural appearance
- Protects other teeth from excessive wear or strain
Root Canal Treatment
Endodontic treatment can often be performed in one or two visits and involves the following steps:
- Dr. Ross examines and x-rays/CBCT the tooth, then administers local anesthetic. After the tooth is numb, the endodontist places a small protective sheet called a “dental dam” over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure.
- Dr. Ross makes an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling.
- After the space is cleaned and shaped, Dr. Ross fills the root canals with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. The gutta-percha is placed with an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canals.
- After the root canal, Dr. Ross will cement a permanent crown fabricated in the in office lab
- If the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold the restoration in place, Dr. Ross may place a post inside the tooth. Decay and damaged pulp
Decay and damaged pulp
Root canal cleaned out
Root canals filled with gutta-percha and adhesive cement
What patients are saying
The most professional dental team!
“A facilisis ornare risus eleifend adipiscing. Elementum orci quam gravida pellentesque pharetra pharetra quis. Adipiscing vel vulputate dignissim eu habitasse pharetra. Aliquet mauris sollicitudin ornare venenatis pulvinar mollis. Ac enim sed et purus egestas volutpat.”
- Darrell Steward -
Compassionate Care & Timely
“A facilisis ornare risus eleifend adipiscing. Elementum orci quam gravida pellentesque pharetra pharetra quis. Adipiscing vel vulputate dignissim eu habitasse pharetra. Aliquet mauris sollicitudin ornare venenatis pulvinar mollis. Ac enim sed et purus egestas volutpat.”
- Kathryn Murphy -
Compassionate Care & Timely
“A facilisis ornare risus eleifend adipiscing. Elementum orci quam gravida pellentesque pharetra pharetra quis. Adipiscing vel vulputate dignissim eu habitasse pharetra. Aliquet mauris sollicitudin ornare venenatis pulvinar mollis. Ac enim sed et purus egestas volutpat.”
- Marvin McKinney -
The most professional dental team!
“A facilisis ornare risus eleifend adipiscing. Elementum orci quam gravida pellentesque pharetra pharetra quis. Adipiscing vel vulputate dignissim eu habitasse pharetra. Aliquet mauris sollicitudin ornare venenatis pulvinar mollis. Ac enim sed et purus egestas volutpat.”
- Floyd Miles -
The most professional dental team!
“A facilisis ornare risus eleifend adipiscing. Elementum orci quam gravida pellentesque pharetra pharetra quis. Adipiscing vel vulputate dignissim eu habitasse pharetra. Aliquet mauris sollicitudin ornare venenatis pulvinar mollis. Ac enim sed et purus egestas volutpat.”
- Darrell Steward -
Compassionate Care & Timely
“A facilisis ornare risus eleifend adipiscing. Elementum orci quam gravida pellentesque pharetra pharetra quis. Adipiscing vel vulputate dignissim eu habitasse pharetra. Aliquet mauris sollicitudin ornare venenatis pulvinar mollis. Ac enim sed et purus egestas volutpat.”