Why do I need a root canal?
A root canal is a type of dental treatment directed at restoring or saving an infected tooth as opposed to having to remove the tooth altogether. This procedure gets its name because the process involves “cleaning” the canals inside of your tooth’s roots.
If your dentist or endodontist told you that you require a root canal, it means that one of your teeth has an infection or abscess that places it at risk of severe damage or total loss. The pulp of your tooth extends all the way to the crown, which is the part of your tooth that is visible. This pulp, or soft core of the tooth, has connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. If you have a cavity that goes deep or a crack in a tooth, the pulp becomes overrun by bacteria and decaying tooth matter. If this goes untreated, you could lose your tooth.
What is the traditional treatment for root canals?
During, root canal treatment, the infected pulp is removed and the inside of the affected tooth is cleaned, disinfected, and then sealed with a special material. Then, the tooth gets crowned or filled to restore its natural appearance and prevent further damage.
What is the difference between traditional root canal therapy and rotary endodontics?
With traditional root canal therapy, the procedure of removing infected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the pulp chamber, and sealing the tooth is done manually with stainless steel tools. Dr. Kurzweil is happy to offer a more advanced technique for root canal treatment: rotary endodontics.
This modern procedure utilizes electrical instruments that have tips finished in nickel titanium. This material has a unique ability for flexibility that is five times greater than the stainless steel tools. As a result, with rotary endodontics, the instrument can enter the tooth’s canal without causing any damage to the passageway, offering a more expedient and consistent way to treat the infection.
