Root Canal Therapy - Soft Touch Dentistry

Root Canals (Endodontics)
O'Fallon, IL

Also known as “root canal therapy,” endodontics is the method by which dentists
save a diseased or injured tooth. Dr. Thompson has offered modern endodontics
to residents of Illinois for many years and has many grateful patients. In the past, if
your teeth became unhealthy or had damaged nerves, they were more likely to be
extracted. But with endodontic treatment, your tooth can be saved with minimal
discomfort.

A root canal entails removing the decayed or injured nerve of your affected tooth.
Inside each tooth, and continuing on down into its root, is a hollow space known as
a canal. Inside this canal are the tooth’s nerves, blood vessels and connective
tissue. Together, these are known as the tooth’s pulp, and the canal is known as the
root canal. It extends from the chamber in the tooth’s crown all the way to the tooth’s
root tip in the jawbone. When bacterial infection spreads into the root canal, an
abscess may form in the jawbone, allowing infection to spread through the bone.

The Typical Procedure
After you receive a local anesthetic, Dr. Thompson makes a small opening in the
tooth’s crown and removes the decayed pulp and all bacteria and debris. She may
insert medication to prevent further bacterial infection. Then she will fill the cleared-
out root canal with a rubber substance called gutta percha. This both fills and seals
the interior of the tooth. A temporary filling is positioned in the opening of the tooth’s
crown and an antibiotic may be prescribed for you. This completes the first stage of
the endodontic procedure.

The second stage is placing a crown over the remains of the tooth, to protect it and
extend its life. The crown is made by a dental lab and takes a week or two to arrive at
Dr. Thompson's office. Dr. Thompson will remove the temporary filling, replace it
with a permanent one, and position the crown over the repaired tooth. When it’s
cemented in place, your tooth has a new lease on life.

After the Root Canal
Dr. Thompson and her capable staff in O'Fallon, Illinois are highly
experienced in restoring damaged and/or diseased teeth to good
health. Good oral hygiene (a must for healthy teeth) along with
regular visits to Dr. Thompson for checkups and professional
cleanings will give you all you need to make your endodontic
treatment and subsequent dental health a success. If you have any
toothaches, or a badly damaged tooth, don’t wait too long to have it
repaired. Give us a call today or send us an email to set up a
consultation.