Understanding your teeth may help take the mystery out of root canal therapy for you.  Each tooth is covered by a tough outer shell that protects the underlying structures, and soft tissue inside your tooth helps keep your tooth nourished.  But if the soft tissue becomes damaged, the health of your tooth is at risk.

The goal of root canal therapy is to improve the health of you damaged tooth.  During treatment, the pulp is removed from your root canals through a small opening in the crown.  Then the canals are sealed with special materials to prevent bacteria from reaching your bone.  Dr. Loewen then restores the outside of your tooth so it will function properly and have a healthy appearance.  After root canal therapy, your tooth continues to be nourished by your surrounding gums and bone.

Your treatment may take one or more visits.  Your visits may last about one to two hours.  A rubber dam (a protective sheet of rubber that covers your mouth) may be used to isolate your tooth and prevent bacteria from entering it.  Your dentist may take x-rays periodically to make sure the full length of your root canals is being treated.  If your roots are unusually shaped or there are other complications, you may need to have apical surgery.  If you need this surgery, your dentist will discuss it with you.

Cleaning and Shaping Your Root Canals

First, Dr. Loewen makes an opening in your tooth and removes any filling and decay.  Then he removes unhealthy pulp with tiny, flexible files.  Using delicate, up-and-down motions, he gently cleans and smoothes your canals to prepare them for the canal-filling materials.

Filling Your Root Canals

After the pulp has been removed from your root canals and they have been smoothed, your root canals will be filled.  Dr. Loewen may fill the canals with tiny cone-shaped pieces of gutta-percha, a firm, rubber-like materials, or use another dental material, or use another dental material.  A sealer-cement is used to seal the filling material into place.

Between Visits

If you need more than one visit for root canal therapy, your tooth may be protected by a temporary filling over a small piece of cotton.  Pamper your treated tooth: avoid foods like popcorn, carrots, candy, and sticky foods because they may loosen your temporary filling.  Brush and floss as you are instructed.  Dr. Loewen may prescribe antibiotics to fight infection or pain medication to minimize discomfort.  Call Dr. Loewen if your filling loosens or falls out, your gums swell, or your tooth is sore after several days.

Restoring Your Tooth

After the inside of your tooth has been treated, the outside will be restored, usually by your general practitioner, to protect your tooth's underlying structures and give your tooth a healthy appearance.  If you tooth needs extra support, your dentist may remove some gutta-percha and insert a post before the filling and crown are applies. 

1. A Post - stainless steel or another material, is sometimes cemented into your root canal to build up your tooth after root canal therapy.
2. A Filling - usually a tooth-colored dental material, may be used to fill the opening in the top of your tooth.
3. A Crown - usually porcelain, may be used to cover a tooth that has a large opening after root canal therapy.

Follow-Up With Dr. Loewen

After root canal therapy, your tooth should function and feel like your other teeth.  You and Dr. Loewen may schedule an appointment for a routine follow-up.  Call Dr. Loewen if you experience any problems with your treated tooth; like pain, swelling, or a loose filling or crown.