Root Canal Procedures

rootcanal
Root canals are tiny passageways that extend from beneath the top of the tooth to the tip of the root. All teeth have between one and four root canals depending on the size and position of the tooth. All root canals are shaped differently and may even be shaped irregularly, causing minor complications for treatment.

What does a root canal procedure treat?

Advanced tooth decay, traumatic injury, or untreated cavities may involve infections that spread to the inside of the tooth. The inner chamber of the tooth, called the pulp, contains blood vessels, nerves and other tissues that keep the tooth healthy. Internal infection damages the nerves inside the pulp chamber. When the infection worsens, the health of the roots is affected, and the tooth’s connection to the jawbone can be compromised.

What are the benefits of a root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment prevents a patient from losing a tooth to an abscess. A diseased inner tooth causes a host of problems. Pain and sensitivity are some of the first indications of a problem, but inside, a spreading infection can cause small pockets of pus to develop, leading to an abscess. At this stage, extraction is one of the only options for treating the tooth, which will later require restorative procedures. Root canal therapy is a remarkable treatment with a high success rate for halting the spread of infection, restoring the healthy portion of the tooth, and preventing the need for extraction.

 

Additionally, our endodontist, Dr. Goziker, offers root canal treatments that involve advanced technology such as BioLase water laser endodontics for canal enhancement, debridement, and sterilization. Some patients report that BioLase endodontics feels more comfortable than traditional methods. BioLase is also said to require less healthy tooth structure removal and promote better filling attachment. At Dentistry on Broadway, we value technological advancements that make procedures more comfortable and more accurate for our patients.