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Root Canal Therapy

Years ago, diseased or injured teeth were extracted. Today, dentists have a safe and effective means of saving teeth. (SHOULD THIS GO ON THE SIDE????)

What is root canal therapy?

The dental pulp is a soft tissue that contains the nerves, arteries, veins and lymph vessels of the tooth. When the pulp becomes critically diseased or injured and dies, the tooth can often times be saved through specialized root canal therapy.

Most often, the cause of pulp death is a fractured or cracked tooth or a deep cavity that exposes the pulp to saliva. The bacteria found in saliva causes infection inside the tooth. If left untreated, the infection eventually causes the pulp to die. Pus can build up at the root tip and form an abscess that can destroy the supporting bone that surrounds the tooth, and often times results in severe discomfort.

A root canal treatment includes removing the diseased pulp, then thoroughly cleaning, shaping, filling and sealing the canal(s). Often times, the tooth is restored with a crown for stability.

What does Dr. Singleton do differently?

Dr. Singleton preforms an additional step during root canal therapy to ensure successful treatment. After cleaning and shaping the pulp canal(s), he then sterilizes the canal(s) with a CO2 laser. Laser technology reduces the chance of infection and promotes healing.

Why is a root canal necessary?

There are many disadvantages to losing a tooth. When a tooth is removed, the teeth next to the empty space shift from their normal position and become crooked. Crooked teeth are more prone to cavities and gum disease because they are more difficult to clean than property aligned teeth. As a result, more dental disease may result and other teeth may also be lost as a result. Furthermore, empty spaces reduce chewing ability and may interfere with proper digestion. Root canal therapy can safely and comfortably be done to save a tooth that otherwise would have to be removed.

How long will the restored tooth last?

Root canal therapy can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene, routine dental appointments and most importantly, preventing bruxism (clenching and grinding). For more information on bruxism, click here.