Root Canal

Root canal is a surgical procedure used to both diagnose and treat conditions within the dental pulp, the soft core of the tooth. The dental pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue which helps create the surrounding hard tissue making up the outside of the tooth. The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tips of the roots and into the surrounding tissue. Cracked or infected teeth can cause severe damage to the dental pulp and may cause it to die. A root canal removes the damaged pulp and helps save decayed or infected teeth.

The dental pulp may become damaged as a result of decay, cracks, chips, trauma or repeated dental procedures. Side effects of the damage may result in:

• Severe toothache
• Increased sensitivity to hot or cold
• Discoloration of the tooth
• Swelling or tenderness of the gum

Dental pulp damage can also eventually lead to bone loss, drainage problems and swelling that spreads to other areas. Timely treatment of this condition is necessary in order to avoid these complications.

A root canal procedure involves a deep cleaning of the inside of the tooth in order to remove bacteria, decayed nerve tissue and other debris. A hole is drilled into the tooth allowing your doctor to reach the inside with a root canal file. After cleaning, the tooth is sealed and filled at a later appointment. This restores the health of the tooth and helps prevent against future infection and contamination.

Despite the common belief that a root canal is a painful procedure, most patients report the procedure to be no more painful than other dental procedures. Root canals are very effective procedures and have a high success rate.

Additional Resources

• MedlinePlus
• National Institutes of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• U.S. National Library of Medicine
• WebMD

Content presented on this website is for general information only. The healthcare provider | Christopher Sechrist DDS, MS | is not responsible for any content selection, or any errors, inconsistencies, or outdated information.