A root canal is a procedure that involves removing the "pulp" (soft inside of a tooth) due to infection or decay. The infected or damaged material is removed and then a filling or temporary crowns is used to seal up the tooth.
Root canals are the best way to save a damaged tooth so you don't have to have it extracted. It's important not to ignore tooth decay which can cause even worse problems. Don’t put off treating dental decay or infection. Make an appointment with Dr. Taylor Enochs Engler today and save your tooth.
First Dr. Taylor will perform an oral exam to ensure you’re a good candidate for a root canal. She will take an x-ray of the affected teeth to determine if there is an infection in the bone or around the tooth.
You will be given a numbing agent and then a local anesthetic will be injected into the gums which will prevent pain. A small opening will be made at the top of the affected tooth to expose the damaged pulp.
Then, Dr. Taylor will use a dentist tool called a file to remove the infected tissue and clean all of the canals inside the tooth. A topical antibiotic is sometimes applied to the tooth to remove any remaining infection and prevent the tooth from being reinfected. Then, the tooth is sealed with a sealer paste and gutta-percha filling.
Finally, the opening in the tooth will be filled with a sealant. Follow up with your regular dentist a few days after the root canal to ensure that there is no remaining infection.
