Root Canal Therapy

What is it?

Endodontics, or root canal therapy, is a process in which a tooth’s nerve and its associated blood vessels and lymphatics are removed. They’re replaced by an inert rubber material, called gutta percha.

The most common reasons patients need a root canal are:

• Extensive tooth decay

• A large cavity under a filling or crown

• A dental abscess

• A tooth fracture due to trauma

• Restoration of a treated tooth

What are the benefits?

Root canal treatment doesn't cause pain — it relieves it. After a patient has an endodontic procedure, they almost always will need a crown as well, in order to reinforce the tooth’s bite and seal out future decay. Occasionally, we also need to place a post in the tooth to reinforce it against future fractures.