Root Canal Therapy
Why is root canal therapy performed?
At the heart of your tooth lies the pulp, a vital structure made up of blood vessels and nerves that help nourish and protect your tooth. When the pulp becomes damaged or infected—whether due to trauma, deep cavities, cracks, chips, or repeated dental work—it can cause discomfort and compromise your tooth’s health.
Signs to Watch For:
You may notice:
Swelling of the gums near the tooth
Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
Pain when biting or applying pressure
A recurring “pimple” on the gums that comes and goes
If you experience any of these symptoms, the two options are removing the tooth or saving it with root canal therapy.
What is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a gentle, precise procedure designed to save your natural tooth. We carefully remove the damaged pulp, thoroughly clean the root canal system using advanced laser-assisted techniques, and seal it to prevent further infection. Depending on the complexity of the treatment, it may take one or more visits to complete.
Your Comfort is Our Priority:
We use local anesthesia to ensure a pain-free experience, and most patients can return to their normal routine immediately after treatment. If oral conscious sedation is recommended for your comfort, we’ll help you plan accordingly, including arranging transportation to and from your appointment.
If, during your consultation or treatment, we find that root canal therapy isn’t the best option for your tooth, we’ll discuss all available alternatives to ensure you’re informed and confident in the next steps.
Our goal is to restore your comfort, health, and smile with care that’s as seamless and stress-free as possible.
After your Root Canal Visit
If you were referred to our clinic for root canal therapy, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. Please contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a couple of weeks of your appointment at our clinic. Your dentist will discuss with you what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, Dr. Bustamante is available at all times . To prevent further decay that may lead to nerve damage, continue to practice good dental hygiene and see your dentist for regular radiographic examinations and professional dental cleanings.
Root Canal Surgery
Generally, a root canal procedure is all that is needed to save your tooth. Occasionally, one will need surgery of the root end to remove a persistent infection. Endodontic surgery (apicoectomy) is also useful to locate fractures or hidden canals that do not appear on x-rays but still allow the infection to persist. The most common surgery used to save damaged teeth is an apicoectomy or root-end resection followed by a reverse root fill (retro-fill) with a biologically compatible material. This root-end filling is placed to prevent reinfection of the root and surrounding bone. The bone heals around the root over a period of months, restoring full function.