Root Canal Therapy

What is a Root Canal?

Root canal treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal, prevent reinfection of the tooth and save the natural tooth. When one undergoes a root canal, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed.

There’s no need to be worried if your dentist or endodontist prescribes a root canal procedure to treat a damaged or diseased tooth. Millions of teeth are treated and saved this way each year, relieving pain and making teeth healthy again.

Inside your tooth, beneath the white enamel and a hard layer called dentin, is a soft tissue called pulp. This tissue contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, which help grow the root of your tooth during its development. A fully developed tooth can survive without the pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

A modern root canal is nothing like those old sayings! It’s very similar to a routine filling and can usually be completed in one or two appointments, depending on the condition of your tooth and your personal circumstances. Getting a root canal is relatively painless and extremely effective. You’ll be back to smiling, biting and chewing with ease in no time.

The success rate for endodontic treatment is about 90%. If your tooth cannot be treated with this type of procedure or the chance of a successful outcome is low, you will learn it at the time of consultation.

During the procedure, we use local anesthesia. Additionally, our care team provides nitrous oxide and oral sedation if needed. Patients that undergo the procedure with only local anesthetic or nitrous oxide can drive themselves home and go about the rest of their regular routine. If we use oral sedation, you will need a responsible driver or alternative way home.

We recommend oral sedation for patients with severe fear or anxiety of dental procedures. For proper treatment you need to be relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. We can provide oral sedation medication before the treatment to keep you comfortable. The medication prevents patients from remembering most of the treatment. A consultation appointment is required before the doctor approves oral sedation. For more information, contact Meridian Endodontics at 317-846-4980.