Root Canal Therapy

Every tooth is composed of a core of one or more canals that are filled with blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. This core is called the pulp and is the life of the tooth. When a tooth is traumatized, or has large decay close to this inner portion of the tooth, the pulp may become inflamed, infected, and painful, indicating that the tooth is dying, and necessitating root canal therapy. Sometimes, a tooth infection may be asymptomatic, which is why it is important to take routine x-rays at recall examinations to diagnose underlying problems that may otherwise go undetected.

Root canal therapy simply means taking the pulp out of the canals, and filling them with a material called gutta-percha, which acts as a permanent bandage, preventing bacteria or fluid from entering the tooth. Once root canal therapy is completed, Dr. Alhomsi typically closes the opening in the tooth with a filling or temporary crown. However, when the pulp is removed, the tooth becomes very dry and weak, so Dr. Alhomsi recommends placing a permanent crown as soon as possible to prevent the tooth from breaking in the future.

Contact us today with any questions and to schedule an appointment to find out if root canal therapy is the appropriate treatment for you!