Endodontic dentistry (Root Canal Therapy)
The health and strength of your teeth affect every aspect of your life – how you eat, talk, smile, and enjoy life. We encourage you to schedule regular dental check-ups so we can monitor your oral health and identify any issues right when they start.
However, accidents and unintentional events can quickly deteriorate a healthy tooth:
- Crack or fracture
- Growing cavity or abscess
Infection takes over the tooth and can infect the nerve as well, potentially causing you severe pain and discomfort.
What are my options?
In both of these scenarios, there are two main options:
- Tooth extraction: Remove the infected tooth. Unfortunately, without the tooth in place, your other teeth will shift to fill its spot.
- Root canal therapy: Save the infected tooth by removing the infection and the nerve, and filling and sealing the tooth. You may also need a crown on top of the filling to return this tooth to proper shape (and make it fit with its upper or lower match so you can chew comfortably). If the tooth can be saved, a root canal therapy will be our first choice.
If I have an infection, do I need antibiotics?
Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics before the root canal to reduce the pain associated with the infection. If necessary, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics after the root canal to reduce the risk of additional infection.
Would a root canal and crown placement happen during the same appointment?
The root canal therapy occurs first. Once the surrounding tissue and area heal, the crown, if one is necessary, is placed in a subsequent appointment.
