RCT (Root Canal Therapy)

Root canal therapy focuses on treating injured or diseased pulp of the tooth.

At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels and nerve tissue that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth (biting into something hard, physically falling and injuring tooth), deep decay, chips, cracks, or repeated dental procedures such as fillings or crowns.

Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature (hot, cold) or pain in the tooth and gums.

This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridge work.

If you experience any symptoms such as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums, your dentist will most likely recommend root canal treatment to eliminate diseased or injured pulp.

In root canal therapy, the endodontist removes the injured or diseased pulp and then thoroughly cleans and seals the root canal system. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Successful root canal therapy occurs in over 90% of cases.

If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, the root canal specialist will inform you at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment.

Treatment will involve the use of local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you will be comfortable returning to your normal routine the day of treatment.

When your root canal therapy is complete, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. It is recommended that you contact your dentist's office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion of root canal treatment at our office.

Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine root canal therapy. If a problem does occur, we are available at all times to respond.

The cost associated with endodontic treatment varies depending on factors such as the severity of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an implant or bridge.