Root Canals Q&A

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What is a root canal?

A root canal is a special procedure developed to remove the interior portion of the tooth – the pulp – where nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues are located. Sometimes, this area of the tooth can become infected, decayed or injured to an extent where a “regular” filling isn't enough to repair the damage. A root canal uses special techniques to remove the damaged material inside the tooth, filling the tooth and sealing it to prevent additional damage. Left untreated, decay can spread to the underlying bone where ti can cause much more serious damage.

Is a root canal better than having the tooth pulled?

In nearly all cases, it's always better to keep your natural tooth in place than to have it pulled. Keeping your tooth means your bite pattern won't be altered, which means you can avoid jaw strain that can lead to tempomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Keeping the tooth also means neighboring teeth won't “lean in” toward the gap which can weaken roots and lead to additional tooth loss. Even with dentures or a bridge, the jaw bone can atrophy over time once the tooth is removed.

Will I have a lot of pain during or after the procedure?

Despite what you may have heard about root canal therapy, today's modern pain relief methods eliminate much if not all of the discomfort of the procedure, and new techniques like rotary endodontics allow the procedure to be performed more quickly. Many patients experience no discomfort, and those who do have discomfort typically say it's no different from the discomfort that comes from having a filling, mostly confined to some aching near the injection site. Any discomfort you do feel afterward can be relieved with over-the-counter medications or prescription medication when necessary.