Root canal procedure: unhealthy tooth, drilling, filing with endofile, rubber filling and crown

Once upon a time, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you'd probably lose that tooth. Today, with a special dental procedure called a root canal therapy by a Cooper Family dentist you may save that tooth. Inside each tooth is the pulp which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth, it runs like a thread down through the root. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If you don't remove it, your tooth gets infected and you could lose it. After your Cooper dentist removes the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then we place a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger.

Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits. Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile!

How long will the restored tooth last?

Your restored tooth could last a lifetime, if you continue to care for your teeth and gums. However, regular checkups with your Cooper Family dentist are necessary. As long as the root(s) of a treated tooth are nourished by the tissues around it, your tooth will remain healthy.