Root Canals

At Fiddlehead Dental we will be happy to assist you with root canal procedures that involve premolars and front teeth. We will usually refer you to a specialist for a root canal on a molar because molars can have abnormalities that are best recognized by a specialist. Our patients come back to us with exceptionally good reports: no pain during or after the procedure, completed in one appointment and a surprisingly routine experience.

 

JUST WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL?

We find that our patients have more inquiry in this area than in any other procedure we do. 

There are many bad jokes and stories based on outdated methods with inferior technique than the ones we use with comfort here in our office on a daily basis. To dispel any myths that may exist, let us give you a few brief facts...

PHYSICAL ANATOMY OF A TOOTH: Each tooth has one or more roots, and inside each root lies a small tunnel called the "root canal". Inside this canal are nerves and blood vessels which make up the living part of the tooth. We call this tissue the pulp.

HEREIN LIES THE PROBLEM: If germs get inside the pulp through a deep cavity or crack in the tooth, the pulp gets infected. Sometimes the same infection arises after a tooth receives a severe blow or has had the insult of many large filling procedures performed over the years. When the pulp becomes infected it usually hurts or is revealed by swelling.

IS THE TOOTH DOOMED?: Rarely do we have to remove a tooth that is infected. Root canal therapy removes the pulp from the tooth, kills the remaining germs, and seals the empty canal with a natural material that the body does not recognize as foreign. When properly performed, root canal therapy works perfectly 92% of the time. Only in rare instances does the tooth have to be removed to conquer the infection.

IS THERE ANY RELIEF IN SIGHT FOR THE PAIN?: Your initial visit to the office may be on an emergency basis. At this time you are likely to be given a prescription for an antibiotic which will begin the healing process by significantly reducing the infection. (This is very important to our being able to get the tooth completely "numb" at your first appointment.")  It will begin to take effect within 24 to 48 hours. In the meantime you will also be given a pain reliever to eliminate any discomfort you might be having.

HOW DO WE REMOVE THE INFECTED PULP?: Only after you are 100% numb, the pulp is removed through a small opening in the chewing surface of the tooth, using tiny instruments called files. We use these files to remove the infected debris, smooth the inside walls of the tooth, and then we seal in a permanent filler material. A filling is placed in the access hole in the chewing surface of the tooth,.. and that's it! 

 

Very few, if any, of our patients experience pain after a root canal. The stories surrounding this procedure are thankfully a thing of the past!

HOW IS THE TOOTH SAVED?: After root canal therapy, your tooth no longer has the source of interal moisture that the pulp continually provided. Without moisture, your tooth becomes brittle and may fracture. A "crown" or CEREC surrounds the entire tooth as a thimble fits over your finger and holds the remaining tooth together. 

** A large filling may be done if the finances of a crown are a problem, but because it sits inside the tooth it will not prevent fracture. Crowning the tooth will predictably protect your investment in your mouth for the long term and should be done as soon as it is feasible.