AVALON DENTAL 

A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. According to American Association of Endodontists, a root canal treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal, prevent reinfection of the tooth and save the natural tooth.

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First of all, there’s no need to be worried if our professional team of dentists at Avalon Dental Center in Cambridge or Somerville prescribes a root canal procedure to treat a damaged or diseased tooth. Millions of teeth are treated and saved this way each year, relieving pain and making teeth healthy again for your happiness.

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The steps of a root canal procedure

Root canal therapy is usually done in three steps, and it takes between one and three sessions to complete.

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1. Cleaning the root canal

Using a needle, our dentist administers local anesthesia to numb the tooth. It's common to feel a bit of a pinch in the area when the needle goes in. After the tooth is numb, our professional dentist cleans the root canal. First, the dentist removes everything that is inside the root canal and makes a small access hole on the surface of the tooth, then removes the diseased and dead pulp tissue with very small files. Our dentist might also put an antimicrobial solution in the chamber to kill any remaining bacteria and reduce the risk for further infection.

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2. Filling the root canal.

Once the chamber is thoroughly cleaned and dried, our dentist will fill it. The tooth is filled with a rubber-like material, using an adhesive cement to seal the canals completely. The dentist will close the opening in your tooth with a temporary filling, while you wait for the permanent crown.

After our root canal therapy the patient will no longer feel any pain in that tooth because the nerve tissue has been removed and the infection has been eliminated.

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3. Adding a crown or filling.

We will finish the treatment by placing a permanent crown or a similar type of restoration on the top of the tooth. Until the crown or filling is complete, the patient shouldn’t chew or bite on the tooth. Once there’s a crown or filling’s done, the person can use the tooth as before.

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Treatment often takes only one appointment, but depends on your case if there are curved canals, multi-canals or large infections, this could take one or two additional appointments.

It’s important that taking good care of your teeth and gums is a must after a root canal. You might need to schedule an additional visit with us to twice-yearly dental cleanings and exams.

If you have questions, please contact us to schedule your FREE consultation with one of our dentists in Cambridge and Somerville, MA!

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