Fairfield's Choice for Quick Relief, Advanced Root Canal Treatment

A root canal may be needed if the decay has reached the tooth's nerve. Essentially, a root canal involves cleaning out a tooth's infected root, then filling and sealing the canal.

Procedure:

1. An opening is made through the crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber.
2. The pulp is removed, and the root canals are cleaned, enlarged and shaped.
3. The infected area is medicated.
4. The root canals are filled.
5. The crown opening is filled with a temporary.

Why a Root Canal?

A cavity that has been left untreated can become larger. Once the cavity reaches the pulp of the tooth, an infection forms at the base of the root canal, causing an abscess. This abscess is generally painful and will need to be removed.

When a tooth is damaged due to injury, decay, or a root canal, a post and crown can be used to restore the tooth. If there isn't enough natural tooth left, a buildup is needed to provide support for the new crown. Without a stable foundation, the crown is at risk of failing. The buildup helps ensure that the new crown is properly supported and the tooth can function as it should.

Sometimes the infection persists even after root canal therapy. In these cases, an apicoectomy, or root end resection can be performed to remove diseased tissue.

1. An incision is made to allow access to the base of the tooth. The inflamed or infected pulp is treated and the canals are carefully cleaned and shaped.
2. A small filling may be placed in the remaining tip of the tooth to seal the root canal. The gum tissue is stitched back into place.
3. A crown is placed to protect the tooth.

Apexogenesis helps save a damaged tooth by supporting its natural growth and healing process. It encourages the root to keep developing while the inside of the tooth heals. This treatment helps the tip of the root to close as the child grows older. If the inside of the tooth heals, it may not need further treatment. The more the root develops, the better the chance that the tooth will stay healthy.

This is an endodontic method of inducing a calcified barrier at the apex of a nonvital tooth with incomplete root formation. Because children’s permanent teeth are still developing, the tip of the root, or apex, is still open and the root canal walls are thin. With apexification, we encourage a calcified barrier to form over the open apex of the immature tooth. By removing unhealthy pulp and placing medication into the root, hard tissue forms near the root tip and acts a barrier for the root canal filling.