Root Canals

What is root canal treatment?

A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges. Please call us for a consultation if you are in need of a root canal in Worcester, Ma.

At the center of your tooth is pulp (often called the “nerve”). Pulp is a collection of blood vessels and nerves that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums. 

How is a root canal performed?

If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. When performed by a specialist success for this type of treatment occurs in about 98% of cases, versus approximately 70% by non-specialists. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment. We use local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. In addition, we will provide nitrous oxide analgesia if indicated or requested. You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine. 

All the doctors at Worcester Endodontics  use techniques which thoroughly clean, sterilize and fill all the irregularities of the root canal systems. We recall our patients over a two-year period, at no additional cost, to be sure the teeth are healing the way they should.

		This lower (mandibular) molar shows an infection at both the tip of the right (mesial) root and midway up the left (distal) side of the same root. The dark areas in both places indicate bone destruction due to this infection.
		This six-month recall x-ray shows the root canal filling with branches sealing the sterilized root canal system, allowing for  complete healing and reformation of the destroyed bone.
All x-rays are examples of work completed in the office of  Worcester Endodontics.

What happens after root canal treatment?

When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact his or her office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to respond. As with your other teeth , continue to practice good dental hygiene. 

		This lower back tooth(2nd from left) had an internal infection inside the nerve causing prolonged and severe pain on  contact with hot or cold. In all other respects  the tooth  appeared normal.  As you can see, this molar has two roots.
		Completion of the endodontic treatment. This working-angled x-ray shows four canals in the two roots. There is a filled branch extending from the canal on the farthest right. A space has been left in one of the canals in the left root to allow the patient's primary-care dentist to reinforce this tooth.
All x-rays are examples of work completed in the office of  Worcester Endodontics.

How much does root canal therapy cost?

The cost associated with this procedure can vary depending on factors such as the severity of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth.