When a tooth is threatened by acute decay, periodontal disease, or damage from an injury, a skilled dentist or endodontist must make a judgment call concerning the course of treatment. If the pulp of the tooth is infected or inflamed, a root canal is usually the only way to save the tooth.
During a root canal dental service (or endodontic treatment), the soft tissue in the root of the tooth is eliminated. This tissue contains veins, arteries, and lymph vessels. Once the roots are taken out and widened, they are filled with a special rubber material.
The root canal is only the initial step in the complete tooth restoration. After the root canal, without a crown, the tooth will become dry and brittle. The last steps are the core build-up and crown.
At OKC Smiles, we manufacture strong, natural-looking crowns that blend flawlessly with the surrounding teeth. With proper oral hygiene and biannual visits to your dentist, a tooth with a filled root can often function dilemma—free for the rest of a patient’s life.
I am Dr. Mark Phan, DDS, of OKC Smiles. I have been practicing dentistry since 1986. During that time I have seen hundreds of teeth saved by this effective dental procedure. Root canal therapy has a very high success rate.
Because teeth with infected pulp tissue often do not create symptoms, it is critical to have regular dental examinations. I can determine which (if any) teeth have infected roots. If the infection in the soft pulp tissue is left untreated, it can progress to a point where the tooth cannot be saved.
Contact OKC Smiles:
405-634-7303
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
13900 S Western Ave, Suite 300
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
73170
