Root Canal Therapy

“Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek for “tooth.” Endodontic treatment treats the inside of the tooth. Root canal treatment is one type of endodontic treatment. To understand endodontic treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development.

It extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root and is important during a tooth’s growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

After  the tooth’s inflamed or infected pulp is removed by Dr. Scott Anderson or the endodontic specialist, the canal will be carefully cleaned before filling and sealing the space. Afterward, a dental crown or other restoration is recommended to protect and restore the tooth to full function. After the restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.  If a crown is not used, the tooth may fracture, get re-infected and may have to be extracted.

Most dental insurance policies provide some coverage for endodontic treatment. At Anderson Dentistry, we will be happy to help you find out what your exact coverage is for root canal treatment. Generally, root canal treatment and restoration of the natural tooth are less expensive than the alternative of having the tooth extracted. An extracted tooth must be replaced with an implant or bridge, to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These procedures tend to cost more than endodontic treatment and appropriate restoration.