ENDODONTIC THERAPY

 

In the past, the idea of a root canal terrified most patients. But today, root canal therapy is typically painless and the success rate is very high. While nothing is guaranteed one hundred percent, most root canals are performed successfully, especially when paired with a long term restoration such as a crown.

 

What Is A Root Canal?

 

Root canal therapy is the term used to describe the process of decontaminating and cleaning the physical hollow space inside the tooth. These spaces are called the pulp chamber and the canal spaces. Once these spaces are cleaned and decontaminated, the area is filled in as the final step in the root canal.

 

Root canals are necessary when a tooth becomes infected, either from decay or from some sort of serious trauma to the tooth. The tissue inside the tooth is occupied by nerve tissues, blood vessels and the unique cellular composition of the inside of a tooth. When a tooth is decaying, or is traumatized, the tissues inside the tooth can break down or become infected with bacteria.

 

During root canal therapy, thin flexible files are used to carefully clean the dead or infected spaces inside the tooth and then fill the area with a biocompatible filling material. Most commonly, a substance called Gutta Percha and a biocompatible cement are used. Gutta Percha is a natural polymer prepared from the Percha tree.