Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the nerves of the teeth. Root canal therapy is probably the most "notorious" procedure in dentistry and the most common procedure relating to endodontics. When a tooth becomes infected it is usually related to the nerves in the root of the tooth. 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.
The area around the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic to start the procedure. An opening is made through the crown of the tooth into the root canal system. Endodontist will then be able to remove infected tissue and clean the canal system. In some situations, medication may be put in the root canal system for a period of time before filling it. After the infection has been removed, the space is filled with a sealant called gutta percha. Once the treatment is begun, it is absolutely necessary that the root canal treatment must be completed. One or more appointments may be required to complete treatment. After root canal treatment, it is usually wise to have the tooth properly restored (filling/onlay/crown) within a reasonably short time. Please consult with your general dentist regarding this. Failure to have the tooth properly restored significantly increases the possibility of re-infection, failure of the root canal procedure and/or tooth fracture.
"Root canal" has become a scary term for dental patients to hear, but the benefits of the procedure and advances in dental technology have made it much less "scary". Local anesthetics and proper pain medication allow the procedure to be performed with little to no pain in most cases. There may be some soreness following the procedure, but that is normal for most dental procedures. Over the counter painkillers are usually enough to relieve any pain afterwards, but your dentist may prescribe medication. The procedure will also relieve you from pain caused by the infection allowing you to enjoy all the foods you love without any pain from heat, cold, or biting too hard. If you are experiencing pain consult your dentist today.