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Having a tooth that needs a root canal or endodontic therapy, is one of the most feared and misinterpreted situations in dentistry. Root canal treatment is probably the procedure most emotionally discussed between individuals as a method of commiserating painful circumstances with each other.

Every work place seems to have someone who has or knows someone with a gruesome story about this notorious procedure. These tales are like the ones that describe a fish that grows larger each time its catch is relayed. Everytime people mention a tooth having a nerve treatment, the experience grows more intolerable. Fortunately for mankind and dentistry, these yarns are very often blown out of proportion.

Modern dental medications, technologies and techniques have the ability to take this feared procedure and make it as easy as having a routine filling.

What is a root canal?

This procedure involves accessing the interior chamber of the tooth. (nerve chamber) Once in the interior of the tooth, the nerve chamber is cleaned, shaped and irrigated before being filled. The filling seals the inside of the tooth and signifies the end of the living tissue residing in the treated tooth.

Why would someone need Endodontic therapy?

1. To save an infected tooth (once a tooth is abscessed, bacteria is in the nerve. The only 2 choices at this time are to remove the tooth or to remove the nerve.)

2. To save a broken tooth. (a broken tooth with compromised tooth structure, is root canaled so that posts can be placed in the root system adding retention and surface area to the weakend tooth.

3. Tooth has endured trauma causing the nerve to die.

4. As a preventative measure when having cosmetic dentistry or crowns prepared. If the crown preparations will be very large and close to the nerve of the tooth, it is best if the nerve is removed so that the tooth is not symptomatic after the crowns are cemented in place.

5. The nerve in a tooth goes bad due to a long standing large filling or crown encroaching on the nerve.

What are possible complicatons of having a root canal procedure?

Possible complications include but are not limited to: bleeding, swelling, pain, infection, detachment of instrument inside tooth, tooth loss, perforaton of tooth interior, numbness, failure of procedure to be successful.

There are complications associated with any medical procedure performed. Post operative pain is the most common complication associated with endodontic therapy. It is comfortable handled with pain and anti-inflammatory medication.

What is the success rate of modern root canal therapy?

Because of advancements in dental medications, techniques and technologies, modern endodontics has a greater than 90% long term success rate.

Do not let this procedure intimidate you. Through proper preparation and handling of this treament, it can be very comfortable having a root canal.

Save your tooth when possible. You only receive one set of teeth as an adult.