Root Canal Treatment

What is the dental pulp?

The pulp is soft tissue inside the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves. It lies in a canal that runs through the center of the dentin (the hard tissue on the inside of the tooth) that supports the enamel (the outer layer of the tooth structure). The crown (the portion of the tooth visible above the gums) contains the pulp chamber. The pulp extends from this chamber down through the root canal to the tip of the root that lies in the bone of the jaws. Teeth have only one pulp chamber but may have more than one root and several root canals.

Root Canal Steps

-The dentist removes remaining pulp and tissue from both pulp chamber and root canal(s).

-Each root canal is cleaned and shaped to allow it to be filled.

-Medication may be placed in the pulp chamber & canal(s) to help eliminate bacteria.

-You might also be given antibiotics if infection is present.

-The dentist fills canal(s) with gutta-percha (a rubber-like material).

-Once the root canal is sealed, a crown is placed on top to help strengthen the tooth.