Root Canal

Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the nerves of the teeth. Root canal treatments are probably the most notorious procedure in dentistry and the most common procedure relating to endodontics. When a tooth becomes infected, it is usually related to the nerves in the root of the tooth. The infected nerves need to be removed. If left untreated, an infection can turn into an abscess, which is a much more serious problem that includes bone loss in the jaw.

The area around the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic to start the procedure. Dr. Bae will then drill down into the tooth to create an opening in the canal. He will then be able to remove infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection has been removed, the space will be filled with a sealant called gutta percha. It is highly recommended that a tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment be fitted with a crown. This will improve the appearance of the tooth, and also make it much more likely for the root canal to be successful.

“Root Canal Treatment” has become a scary term for dental patients to hear, but the benefits of the procedure and advances in dental technology have made it much less “scary”. Local anesthetics and proper pain medication allow the procedure to be performed with little to no pain in most cases. The procedure will also relieve you of the pain from the infection and allow you to enjoy all the foods you love without any pain from heat, cold, or biting too hard. If you are experiencing pain, consult us today.