Skip to main content

Step by Step Root Canal Procedure

Here's a step-by-step guide to an Endodontic (root canal) procedure. The length of treatment depends on the severity and complexity of the tooth. Give us a call if you have any questions. 

1. The endodontist examines and x-rays the tooth, then administers local anesthetic. After the tooth is numb, the endodontist places a small protective sheet called a “dental dam” over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure.   





2. The endodontist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp, nerves, from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling.  
3. In our office we add an extra step in which we use the Waterlase MD laser system in two different settings. The first setting is the cleaning stage; water is introduced into the canals, producing a mini "carwash" so any left over debris is suctioned out. The second setting is the disinfection/drying out stage; this setting dries the canals and disinfects them to a point of sterilization before we proceed to step 4.

4. After the space is cleaned and shaped, the endodontist fills the root canals with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. The gutta-percha is placed with an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canals. In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening. The temporary filling will be removed by your dentist before the tooth is restored.


5. After the final visit with your endodontist, you must return to your dentist to have a crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.


6. If the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold the restoration in place, your dentist or endodontist may place a post inside the tooth. Ask your dentist or endodontist for more details about the specific restoration planned for your tooth.
Please note, steps 5 and 6 are typically performed by your general dentist 
Reproduced with permission from the American Association of Endodontists.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New prescription mandate!!

Did you know that the Commonwealth of Virginia amended a bill, early this year, in which it mandates that all prescriptions containing opioids be electronically transmitted? This amendment becomes effective July 1, 2020. The code of Virginia §54.1-3408.02 reads: “A. Consistent with federal law and in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Board, prescriptions may be transmitted to a pharmacy by electronic transmission or by facsimile machine and shall be treated as valid original prescriptions B. Any prescription for a controlled substance that contains opioids shall be issued as an electronic prescription.” This information was brought to our attention in a dental meeting in Texas. Virginia is joining several other states in the fight against drug overdose.  For the complete regulation visit: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/54.1-3408.02 /
Post a Comment
Read more

Face Shields: Do We Need Them?

The last few months have brought many changes on how the world operates. Dental offices are no exception. In our office, we wear extra gear, such as wearing mask at all times, disposable jackets, hair bouffant cap, gloves and etc. According to a recent article in the The Wall Street Journal: “With face shields a growing part of hospital protocol, some infectious disease doctors are calling for greater adoption outside the medical setting.” You may wonder, how does a face shield offer protection from COVID-19? Let’s understand how one gets infected with COVID-19. This virus spreads through droplets that are released into the air from an infectious person when they cough, sneeze or talk. The mouth, nose and the eyes are potential areas of how the virus can get into your system. Masks protect your mouth and nose, but what about the eyes? According to the vice president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and an infectious disease physician Dr. Daniel McQu...
Post a Comment
Read more

We Got A New CT!

 A few months ago, disaster hit our office. 😱 Our CT went down! No fear, we got it replace with a newer and better CT scan. Introducing the Carestream 8100.  The CS8100 allows us to choose whether we want to concentrate on one quadrant of the teeth or if we choose to take a full mouth scan. We can even take 2D panoramic x-rays if we wish. The scan yields a high resolution image. These images are more clear and sharper than the images produced by our previous CT.  We are so happy to have this new CT scan in our office. It has helped diagnosis some of the more difficult cases we have seen recently.
Post a Comment
Read more