Root Canal Treatment

Degeneration of the dental nerve is the primary reason for root canal treatment. It is most frequently caused by untreated bacterial decay that destroys the enamel and dentin and infects the pulp tissue. Root decay can also be responsible for the death of the root nerve. The easiest way to avoid this kind of problem is to have Dr. Korody look at your teeth on a regular basis and have your teeth cleaned by an experienced hygienist as regularly as possible.

However, A sharp blow to the tooth can also precipitate nerve failure, sometimes years after the initial trauma. Its important that you tell Dr. Korody about anything that might have impacted your teeth.

Nerves can degenerate long after teeth have been filled or capped, especially if the original decay was deep. Infection in a deep periodontal (pyorrhea) pocket may extend to the nerve, requiring a combination of endodontic and periodontic therapy to save the tooth. Nerve degeneration might also be due to poor dental treatment.

Root canal therapy is sometimes necessary to eliminate hypersensitivity due to extreme attrition that has worn away one-third to one-half of the tooth's crown.

For example, if a front tooth, usually in the lower jaw, is worn down so rapidly and severely that secondary dentin cannot form quickly enough to insulate the vital nerve, removal of the nerve relieves intolerable sensitivity to temperature and chewing.

Normally, if a tooth is sensitive to both hot and cold temperature changes and the discomfort disappears immediately afterward, root canal therapy is not needed.

Root Canal Therapy consists of removal of the pulp tissue contained within the tubular root canals, and sealing them with an inert material to eliminate bacterial infection. This particular treatment can take several visits to complete, but once the root canals have been sealed there is little chance of a recurrence in the same area.