Root canal therapy, also called endodontic therapy, is a treatment that is used when the nerve of a tooth has become infected or decayed. A root canal is the preferable treatment to save a tooth from extraction. Dr. Kaplan, Maple Avenue Family Dentistry’s staff endodentist, is a specialist in root canal therapy. His patients often mention how much they enjoy his cantorial “concerts” while he works on their teeth.
Some of the signs that a root canal is necessary are toothache or pain, sensitivity to hot and cold, swelling, a darkened tooth, or an abscess on the gums. Sometimes there may be none of these signs present at all.
During a root canal, the infected nerve is removed and the canal is cleansed. Then it is replaced with a solid dental material that is resistant to infection.
After a root canal there should be a crown or cap placed over the tooth. This will protect it from further decay and make the tooth fully functional again.
Root canals have a very high success rate.
