Endodontics - Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment protects the teeth which otherwise would have to be extracted.

This treatment includes the removal of the tooth's pulp, a small, thread-like tissue in the centre of the tooth. After the damaged, diseased or dead pulp is removed; the remaining space is cleaned, shaped and filled. This procedure seals off the root canal. In the absence of this technology, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment saves many teeth that would have otherwise been lost.

The most common causes of pulp damage or death are:

• A cracked tooth
• A deep cavity
• An injury to a tooth, such as a severe knock to the tooth, either recent or in the past.

Once the pulp is infected or dead, if left untreated, pus can build up at the root tip in the jawbone, forming an abscess. An abscess can destroy the bone surrounding the tooth and cause pain The treated and restored tooth/teeth can last a lifetime with proper care. Because tooth decay can still occur in treated teeth, good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are necessary to prevent further problems.

The success or failure of root canal treatment can be determined with comparison of new X-rays with those taken prior to treatment. This comparison will show whether bone continues to be lost or is being regenerated.