Root Canal Therapy

The most likely symptom to require root canal therapy is pain produced when the pulp becomes irreversibly damaged. Root canal therapy is done as an alternative to removing the tooth and has (3) steps: (1) Pulpectomy or removal of the pulp from the chamber and each canal by grinding and drilling, and often pain is alleviated by opening the chamber and canals; (2) Cleaning, shaping, and smoothing the chamber and canal surfaces to receive the pulp replacement. Cotton pellets are often placed in the chamber and sealed with a temporary filling or crown; (3) Once the pulp is removed, the chamber and canal cannot be left empty - they must be filled with an inert material. Most commonly used is a natural, flexible resin called gutta-percha which is compressed into the chamber and sealed with a filling or a crown. The natural crown of the tooth is often replaced with an artificial crown.