There are tiny, narrow canals inside the root system that extend down from the body of the nerve chamber in the crown portion of the tooth (the part we see when we smile). Inside these tiny, narrow canals live extensions of the nerve that go all the way to the root tips deep in the jaw bone, and connect to the nerve system outside the tooth. It is necessary to remove all nerve tissue inside the tooth, including the root system. A series of small files are negotiated down each of these canals in the tooth being treated, which serve to clean and shape each canal. At the same time large pieces of the nerve are removed from inside these canals. Further removal is accomplished by chemical means, which is used to digest small pieces of the nerve, which may remain because of incomplete mechanical removal.

After proper cleaning and shaping has been accomplished, the canals are sealed by placing pre-fitted gutta percha points in the canals coated with a sealer that acts much like a gasket sealer would if you were trying to ensure no leakage in a plumbing type of scenario. These points coated with sealer are then heated and packed in a downward direction toward the end of the root of the tooth so that a hydraulic force is created. This hydraulic force then serves to force sealer and gutta percha into microscopic spaces or voids. There are also offshoots of the main canal shaft called lateral canals, which need to be filled and sealed if present. This hydraulic force allows for the filling and sealing of all tiny spaces that we cannot see, but know that they are there.

• Why do I need endodontic therapy (root canal therapy)?
• What is a root canal anyway?
• How long does it take?
• Is the procedure painful?
• How come my regular dentist won’t do my root canal?
• Am I finished after the root canal? Do I need to have anything else done to my tooth?
• I had several crowns done in the past, how come I never had a root canal with those teeth?
• How long should I wait before having the buildup and crown done?
• Is it possible to not know that you need endodontic therapy?
• What is the difference between a regular dentist, and a specialist?
• Is it better to see a specialist, or let my general dentist treat me?
• What are some of the complications that could arise during treatment?
• Root canals don’t work on me! I’ve had several; and every time I end up getting the tooth pulled!
• My dentist said I needed to have a tooth I already had a root canal done on, treated again. Why?
• I had endodontic therapy done 10 years ago. Last week I had another tooth treated, and the procedure seemed very different. Which one is better?