Root Canals

 

Root canal therapy or “root canal” is a procedure to treat and save damaged and infected teeth. Before root canal therapy, the only treatment for affected teeth was removal. Today, root canal therapy is a common procedure that has a very high success rate.

Teeth contain tiny passageways called root canals that extend to the tip of the root. The location and shape of each root canal varies from tooth to tooth. Teeth also have pulp, which contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. When a tooth becomes infected it is usually related to the nerves in the root of the tooth and the infected nerves need to be removed. If left untreated, an infection can turn into an abscess, which is a much more serious problem that includes bone loss in the jaw.

Root canal therapy usually entails one to three visits. During the first visit, a small hole is drilled through the top of the tooth and into the pulp. Diseased tissue is removed, the inner chamber is cleansed and disinfected, and the tiny canals reshaped. The cleansed chamber and canals are filled with an elastic material and medication designed to prevent infection. The tooth will receive a temporary filling between dental visits or the tooth may be left open to help it heal. Finally, the tooth is permanently sealed with a crown.

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Dr. Saban has performed thousands of root canals in many satisfied patients who experience little to no discomfort or pain, and enjoy a restored tooth that can last a lifetime.