Our goal is to make each dental visit a relaxed and pleasant experience.

C

Carl D. Levy, D.M.D.

102 Hyde Parkway - Palmyra, New York 14522     (315)597-5511

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What is a Root Canal?

Modern "root canal treatment" can usually immediately eliminate the pain of even a severe toothache and save a tooth which would otherwise need to be extracted.

Advances in anesthetics have made root canal treatment virtually pain free. I find that most of our patients have more curiosity and misconceptions about root canals then any other dental service that I provide.

Each tooth within your mouth is supported by one or more roots. Within each root there is a small tunnel called the "root canal".  Contained within each canal there are living blood vessels and nerve fibers which I will refer to as the "nerve" of the tooth. 

Deep Cavity which has entered the nerve.

Root

Canal containing the "nerve" of the tooth

If a tooth has a cavity which is not treated, the cavity will continue to increase in size until it enters the nerve. When this occurs, the nerve becomes infected or damaged and the person usually experiences a moderate to severe toothache. In order to eliminate the pain and save the tooth, the damaged nerve must be removed.

During root canal treatment, special tiny instruments are used to remove the nerve from within the canals of the tooth. An anesthetic is used to "numb" the tooth before this is done, and we expect the patient to feel absolutely no pain during the procedure. A variety of medications are then used to eliminate any infection that may be present within the tooth.

The final step in root canal treatment involves completely filling up the now empty tunnels within the tooth using a soft "rubber like" material. (see #1 in the drawing below). This filling prevents bacteria from re-entering the tunnels.

2. Permanent  filling is placed in the tooth after the root canal treatment is completed.  (Sometimes a crown my be needed  if the tooth is week or broken.)

1. Completed root canal treatment. Canals have been filled with a "rubber like" material.

A tooth which has had root canal treatment completed does not feel any different to the patient than a tooth which contains a living nerve. The nerve is involved with formation and growth of the tooth in a child but serves little function in the adult tooth. With proper care (daily brushing and flossing and regular dental check-ups) a tooth which has had root canal treatment can last a lifetime.