Root Canals:

Root canals are perhaps the most dreaded of all dental procedures.  The very words can make a person break out in a cold sweat.  Well, root canals today are much different than from years past.  Historically, people have associated root canals with a great deal of pain.  Nothing could be further from the truth. 

During a root canal the doctor will remove the damaged nerve tissue.  A special filling material called gutta percha will then be placed into the root.  This helps prevent future infections.  Depending on the tooth and the complexity of the canal system the whole process can take anywhere from 1-3 visits.  Most cases are completed in 1-2, however. 

Once the root canal is completed the tooth will require a special filling called a post and core and a crown   Root canal treated teeth can become fragile over time and are much more susceptible to fractures. Therefore a crown is recommended to protect the tooth.  Once properly restored, a root canal treated tooth can provide many more years of useful life.