Root canal treatment is used to save a tooth when the soft tissue inside it, known as the pulp, becomes inflamed, infected, or damaged. This can occur because of deep decay, cracks, trauma, repeated dental treatment, or other problems that allow bacteria to reach the inside of the tooth.
During treatment, the affected tissue is removed, the internal canals are carefully cleaned and shaped, and the space is sealed to help prevent reinfection. The tooth can then be restored and protected, allowing it to continue functioning as part of your natural smile.
Not every toothache requires root canal treatment. A careful examination is needed to determine whether the pulp inside the tooth is affected and whether the tooth can be predictably preserved.
Root canal treatment may be recommended when you have:
Some teeth requiring root canal treatment cause few noticeable symptoms, which is why dental examination and imaging are important for diagnosis.
Root canal treatment is intended to provide a long-term solution, but occasionally a previously treated tooth does not heal as expected or develops a new problem. In some situations, the tooth can be treated again rather than removed.
Inflammation or infection may remain if bacteria persist within areas of the root canal system that were difficult to access during the original treatment.
New decay, a leaking or damaged restoration, or another pathway into the tooth can allow bacteria to reach a previously treated root canal system.
Some teeth have narrow, curved, calcified, or additional canals that can make the internal anatomy particularly challenging to identify and treat.
During root canal retreatment, the tooth is reopened so the previous root canal material can be removed. The canals are reevaluated, cleaned, disinfected, and sealed again before the tooth receives the appropriate final restoration.
Some tenderness or sensitivity around the treated tooth can occur after a root canal and generally improves as the area heals. We’ll provide instructions based on your treatment and let you know when the tooth is ready for its permanent restoration.
Protecting the tooth afterward is an important part of treatment. Depending on how much healthy tooth structure remains and where the tooth is located, a crown may be recommended to reduce the risk of future fracture and restore comfortable function.
Local anesthesia is used to thoroughly numb the treatment area during a root canal. The procedure is performed to address inflamed or infected tissue that may already be causing discomfort. Some tenderness can occur afterward, but this generally improves as the area heals.
Treatment time varies depending on the tooth, number and complexity of the canals, whether infection is present, and whether the tooth has been treated previously. Some root canals can be completed in one appointment, while more complex cases may require additional visits.
A tooth requiring root canal treatment may already have significant decay, a large restoration, cracking, or loss of healthy structure. Depending on the tooth and its condition, a crown can provide additional protection and restore function. Not every root canal-treated tooth requires the same type of restoration.
Yes. When a previously treated tooth develops persistent or new infection, root canal retreatment may provide an opportunity to preserve it. We’ll evaluate the cause of the problem and condition of the tooth to determine whether retreatment, an apicoectomy, or another approach is most appropriate.
