Root canal

Alternative Names: Endodontic therapy

A root canal is a dental procedure to remove dead or dying nerve tissue and bacteria from inside a tooth.

Description of Procedure

A dentist will use a needle to place numbing medicine (anesthetic) around the bad tooth. You may feel a slight prick when the needle is being inserted.

Next, your dentist uses a tiny drill to remove the top part of your tooth and expose the pulp. Pulp is made up of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It is found inside the tooth and runs to the jaw bone. Pulp supplies blood to a tooth and allows you to feel sensations such as temperature.

The infected pulp is removed with special tools called files. The canals (tiny pathways inside the tooth) are cleaned. Medicines may be placed into the area to make sure all the germs are gone and prevent further infection.

The cleaned tooth area is sealed with a soft, temporary material. Once the tooth is filled, a permanent crown may be placed on top.

You may be given antibiotics to treat and prevent infection.

Risks of Root canal

• Abscess
• Loss of tooth
• Nerve damage

Review Date: 2/22/2010
Reviewed By: Jack D. Rosenberg, DDS, Advanced Dental Care, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, M.D., MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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