Root Canals

Root canal therapy is a dental procedure used to treat infection or severe inflammation inside a tooth. At Wilson Dental Associates, root canals save teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted, preserving your natural smile and avoiding the long-term complications that come with tooth loss. Despite their reputation, modern root canals are routine procedures performed under local anesthesia and are typically no more uncomfortable than getting a filling.

Inside every tooth is a chamber containing soft tissue called pulp, which includes nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When pulp becomes infected or inflamed, usually due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures, a crack, or trauma, the result is often severe pain, sensitivity to hot and cold, swelling, or an abscess. Root canal therapy removes the infected or damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and then seals it to prevent reinfection. Once treated, the tooth is no longer alive in the traditional sense but remains functional and can last a lifetime with proper care.

After a root canal, the tooth is typically restored with a crown, particularly when the treatment is performed on a back tooth that experiences significant chewing forces. The crown protects the now-brittle tooth from fracture and restores full chewing function. Most root canals are completed in one or two visits, and patients typically experience relief from the original pain almost immediately. Modern techniques, including digital imaging and rotary instrumentation, have made root canal therapy faster, more comfortable, and more predictable than ever before.