Root Canals

Root canals are a very common procedure offered in the office of Mark W. Sheppard, DDS, to save adult teeth that have been badly decayed, infected, or injured. When a tooth has been damaged above the gumline, yet the root is still in one piece and viable, Dr. Sheppard may recommend a root canal to save the natural tooth. Retaining the root of the tooth is the healthiest restoration option available to maintain the bone density of the jaw and the structures of the face and cheeks.

If a tooth becomes infected, the infection needs to be treated and removed as soon as possible to prevent it from moving deeper into the body and spreading. The spreading infection could lead to tooth loss and other medical problems.

A root canal is a fairly simple procedure performed in the dental office. After an anesthetic is given to numb the area, a small hole is made in the damaged tooth to access the inside of the root. The pulp and nerve are scraped out, the inside of the root is cleaned and dried, and rubbery material (called gutta percha) is packed in. The entry hole is filled, and the top half of the tooth is prepared to receive a crown.

The pulp and nerve of an adult tooth are no longer needed after all the adult teeth have come through the gums. Removing them from the root will not affect the function of the tooth.

A temporary crown is placed until a permanent crown has been manufactured and sent back to the dental office. A short second appointment is set up for the application of the permanent crown approximately two weeks after the root canal.

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