Root Canal Therapy

The term root canal therapy (RCT) should never be viewed negatively. Root canal therapy is a general dentistry treatment to not only relieve the discomfort caused by an infected tooth, but also to save that tooth. It helps to understand the process. Tooth decay begins on the outer surface, or enamel of the tooth. At this stage, there is no pain involved. However, if left untreated over time, the decay deepens and spreads to the next layer, the softer dentin. Once it reaches the dentin, the bacteria works even faster, spreading wider and moving closer to the heart of the tooth – the pulp.

As it moves closer to the pulp, the tooth can become more sensitive to sweets, temperature changes, and sometimes even the pressure of chewing. When the pulp is involved, the problem is serious and only worsens, causing more discomfort. It can lead to an abscess, swelling, bone loss, and blood infection if not treated.

If decay has reached the tooth's pulp, the only way to save it is through root canal therapy. RCT is often the treatment of choice to relieve the acute pain and discomfort experienced with an infected tooth. The nerve chamber of the tooth is cleansed, relieving the pressure and swelling caused by infection. Thorough cleaning of this area is imperative to removing all harmful bacteria. Once that is completed, the chamber or canal is then filled with an inert material and sealed off so that it cannot be re-infected with bacteria.