Saving Teeth Through Endodontic Therapy

Your dentist has recommended endodontic or root canal therapy to save your tooth. This pamphlet explains endodontic therapy and why your dentist feels this type of treatment is best for you.

What Is Endodontic Therapy?

Endodontic therapy removes infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth. This tissue, called the pulp, contains nerves and blood vessels that help nourish the tooth. After the pulp is removed, the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned sterilized, filled and sealed. 

What Are The Benefits Of Endodontic Therapy?

Endodontic therapy saves teeth that would otherwise be extracted. Although the pulp is removed, the treated tooth remains alive, nourished by the surrounding gums and jaw. There is no real substitute for your own tooth, which is more efficient in chewing and biting than an artificial one.

What Steps Are Involved?

An examination, including X-rays, is performed. A local anesthetic is given if necessary, and a device called a rubber dam is placed over the tooth to isolate it and keep it clean and dry during treatment. a. An opening is made in the crown of the tooth.

b. The pulp is removed from the pulp chamber and root canals. Tiny instruments called files are used to clean the root canals and to shape them to a form that can easily be filled. Medication may be placed in the canals and an antibiotic may be prescribed if the tooth is infected.

A temporary filling is placed in the opening to protect the tooth between appointments. If an abscess, or infection that spread to the bone, is present, the tooth may be left open to drain. c. When completely clean and free of infection, the root canals are filled and sealed with a material that prevents bacteria from reentering.

After treatment, X-rays usually are taken to determine if the canals are completely filled.  d. The opening is then sealed with a temporary filling, which will be replaced by your family dentist with a permanent filling or some other protective covering such as a crown.

What Caused The Problem With My Tooth?

The most common cause of pulp damage is severe decay or a fracture that exposes the pulp to bacteria that may cause infection. Other causes of pulp damage include traumatic injury, such as a blow to a tooth, a cracked or loose filling or repeated fillings in a tooth and occasionally periodontal, or gum, disease.

How Many Appointments Are Necessary?

Sometimes endodontic therapy is completed in one appointment, but often two or three visits are needed.

How Long Will The Tooth Last?

Although the tooth may be somewhat more brittle than before treatment, with proper restoration and care it may last a lifetime. Proper dental care includes regular brushing and flossing, proper diet and periodic dental check-ups.

Does Endodontic Therapy Hurt?

With the use of modern anesthetics, root canal therapy usually involves little or no discomfort. Often there is pain before treatment, and endodontic therapy provides relief.

Will There Be Pain After The Procedure?

Cleaning the root canals may cause some inflammation of the surrounding nerves, but usually over-the-counter analgesics alleviate the discomfort. If the discomfort lasts several days or if you experience severe pain, call your endodontist.

Who Performs Endodontic Therapy?

All dentists receive some training in endodontic therapy in dental school. Endodontists are specialists who limit their practices to root canal procedures. They have two years' post-graduate training in addition to dental school, and/or have been certified by the American Board of Endodontics after passing a series of examinations.

Many general dentists refer all root canal cases to endodontists. Others perform routine treatments, but refer complicated and emergency cases to an endodontist.

How Much Does Endodontic Therapy Cost?

The cost of an endodontic procedure varies depending on how severe the problem is and the type of tooth. Molars with two or three root canals are more difficult to treat and usually cost more. Endodontic therapy is usually less expensive than extracting a tooth and replacing it with an artificial one.

What Are The Alternatives To Endodontic Therapy?

Extraction is the only alternative. And unless the tooth is replaced, adjoining teeth will shift, interfering with biting and chewing. Loss of a tooth can lead to periodontal disease and loss of additional teeth. Replacing a tooth with an artificial one often requires dental procedures on adjacent healthy teeth.

Can All Teeth Be Treated Endodontically?

Occasionally a tooth can't be saved. Endodontic therapy can be performed only if the root canals are accessible and can be adequately sterilized and sealed. The tooth also must have sufficient bone support.

Joseph J. Legan, D.D.S., M.S.
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Endodontics
Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics
Director, Undergraduate Endodontics

DENTAL FACULTY PRIVATE PRACTICE
1121 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202

317-274-5628
Fax: 317-274-5308