patient procedures | root canals

A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures with well over 14 million performed every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges. It is actually a loose nick name for a formal set of procedures called endodontic therapy.

At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums.

If you experience any of these symptoms, Dr. Schlossberg will likely recommend non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. The injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy involves local anesthesia and success occurs in about 90% of cases.

If this fails, a surgical treatment may be required. Dr, Schlossberg will drill into the pulp chamber and remove the infected pulp by scraping it out of the root canals. He will then fill the cavity with an inert material and seal up the opening. Nerves and blood supply will be removed from the tooth and it will be fitted with a crown.