Root Canals

Root canals are needed in teeth for several reasons:

1. Most commonly because a cavity has reached the inner most layer or pulp/nerve of a tooth.
2. If a tooth has broken down past the point of being able to repair it with a filling and pins, a root canal may be necessary so that a post can be placed in one of the canals giving a structure to anchor a filling and crown to.

In both instances, to save the tooth, the diseased pulp is removed and the tooth canals are thoroughly cleaned. The tooth is then filled with a rubber material (gutta percha) and sealed so no further bacteria can enter the tooth.

Root canal treatment has a bad reputation but with all of the advances in technology, it does not need to be a feared procedure.

At Riverstone Dental, we use one of the most technologically advanced root canal systems. With this system, we can usually start and finish your root canal in one appointment! As well, the rotary system that we use makes your appointment a lot more relaxing and the outcomes more successful.

After your root canal is completed and the tooth and surrounding bone is healing properly, we highly recommend placing a crown. Molars or premolars that have received root canal therapy have a high chance of breaking because of the extreme forces your bite places on these teeth.