Root canal therapy is used when patients have severely infected teeth, leading to abscess teeth and other problems. Root canal therapy is commonly used for patients hoping to avoid extracting a tooth. A severely damaged or infected tooth will continue causing serious pain, and could infect surrounding teeth in the area.
X-rays are used to determine the level of infection and to assist in guiding the dentist as we work on removing the root of the tooth. Patients will receive anesthesia to keep the area from feeling pain. The root canal treatment does not hurt with anesthesia, and most patients say it feels like having a normal cavity filled.
The root canal treatment can take multiple visits based on how much infection needs to be cleaned. Our team will be able to determine if treatment is needed during an examination. We regularly x-ray to check on bone density and to help identify teeth that may be in need of root canal treatment in the near future.
