A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges.
A root canal is performed on a tooth that is so severely decayed or infected that it is in danger of being lost. At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels and nerve tissue that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by deep decay, a crack or chip in the tooth, an injury to the tooth, or repeated dental procedures.
With root canal treatment, we gently remove the nerve and vascular tissue (pulp) from the root and pulp chamber as well as any decayed tooth structure. We then carefully shape and sterilize the inside of the canal with nickel-titanium instruments. This procedure also allows for the root and the base of the tooth itself to remain in place. At Grand River Endodontics, we utilize today’s latest techniques, and materials along with the extra-gentle touch that you will appreciate.
Following Root Canal Treatment/Therapy
Dr. Lennan Masterson can perform most root canals in a single visit; the more difficult cases might require a second appointment. Once your root canal has been completed, we will send a written report and digital x-ray promptly to your referring dentist. You will then return to your dentist to get a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. Although extremely rare, a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment could become painful or diseased months or even years later. For these cases, Dr. Lennan Masterson may perform root canal retreatment or root end surgery, also known as an apicoectomy.