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Root Canal Therapy in Sudbury, MA

root canal therapy

Saving a Tooth From Infection

When teeth become infected, action needs to be taken in order to preserve your oral health. Untreated tooth infection can spread, potentially leading to serious health issues like gum disease, tooth loss, jawbone deterioration, and in more extreme cases, cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, Dr. Ye and his team at Boston Post Dental and Implants can stop the spread of infection and even save your tooth from extraction using root canal therapy.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is a restorative dental procedure used to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal, prevent reinfection of the tooth, and save the natural tooth. To understand how root canal therapy works, it’s important to note that your teeth are made of three layers.

  1. The enamel is the outer layer that’s visible to the naked eye.
  2. The dentin is the layer beneath the enamel that makes up the majority of the tooth’ structure.
  3. The dental pulp is the innermost layer composed of living tissues housed inside hollow spaces called root canals.

Infection can occur when cracks or holes in teeth allow bacteria to penetrate the enamel and work their way into the dental pulp. If the infection is allowed to remain untreated for too long, it can render the tooth untreatable and spread to other parts of your body.

Signs You May Need a Root Canal

You may need a root canal if you’ve experienced any of the following:

  • Overcrowding
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold
  • Dental trauma
  • Damage to the soft tissue and bone surrounding the tooth
  • Discoloration or darkening of the tooth
  • Severe tooth pain
  • Loosening of the tooth
  • Swollen gums or abscesses on the gums
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What To Expect From Root Canal Therapy

Step 1: Consultation

Before you undergo root canal therapy, you’ll attend a consultation with Dr. Ye, where he’ll provide a thorough examination of your mouth. Your exam will include an in-depth X-ray to determine the severity of the infection. Dr. Ye will also review your medical history and discuss your oral health goals with you. The information Dr. Ye gathers during your consultation will allow him to determine if root canal therapy is right for you.

Step 2: Preparation

In order to prepare you for root canal therapy, we’ll have you rinse your mouth out to clear it of debris. Then, we’ll administer local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth so you don’t feel any pain.  Then, Dr. Ye will make a small hole in the tooth to access the root canals.

Step 3: Infection Removal and Prevention

Once Dr. Ye can reach the root canals, he’ll gently remove the infected pulp, decayed nerve tissues, and other debris. The inner tooth cavity is then cleaned and sealed off to prevent any further infection.

Step 4: Sealing Off the Tooth

The empty pulp chamber and root canals will then be filled with a rubber-based material known as gutta-percha. Dr. Ye will install a temporary filling and later place a composite resin filling over the access hole for maximum protection. Depending on the amount of healthy tooth structure remaining, a crown may be placed instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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