Root Canal Treatment Overview

This procedure removes dental pulp when it has become dead or infected. Dental pulp is the soft core of the tooth. It contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The pulp extends from the top of the tooth, called the crown, all the way down to the roots, in branches called canals.

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Prior to the Procedure

Your dentist will:

• Do a thorough dental exam
• X-ray your mouth—a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia (eg, lidocaine ) will be used. The dentist will numb the area in your mouth. The anesthesia will be given as an injection.

Description of the Procedure

A small hole will be made through the top of the tooth and into the pulp. Next, steel files will be inserted to extract the pulp tissue. All teeth have 1-4 individual canals. Pulp will need to be extracted from all canals in the affected tooth. Once all pulp has been removed, the walls of the root canal will be reshaped and enlarged. Medicine will be inserted to kill bacteria.

At this point, the dentist may insert a temporary filling. This filling will protect the tooth. The procedure may be done within one visit or at multiple appointments. This depends on the condition of the tooth. Lastly, the canal will be dried, sterilized, and filled with a rubbery material. This material will prevent recontamination.

Immediately After Procedure

The dentist will:

• Permanently seal the area
• Place a gold or porcelain crown over the tooth to strengthen its structure

How Long Will It Take?

A root canal may take 1-3 appointments. Each appointment may last 1-2 hours.

How Much Will It Hurt?

You will have discomfort for a few days. Your doctor may give you pain medicine.

Post-procedure Care

When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

• Be sure to follow your dentist's instructions .
• Use warm, salt-water rinses to soothe your mouth.
• For a few days, avoid heavy biting and chewing on the side of the mouth that has the root canal.
• See your dentist for a follow-up x-ray as scheduled.

RESOURCES:

American Dental Association
http://www.ada.org/

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Dental Association
http://www.cda-adc.ca/

Canadian Dental Hygienists Association
http://www.cdha.ca/

References:

Root canal (endodontic) treatment. American Dental Association website. Available at: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/root_canal.asp . Accessed September 16, 2009.

What is a root canal? Academy of General Dentistry website. Available at: http://www.knowyourteeth.com/ . Updated February 2007. Accessed September 16, 2009.