Root Canals

Root canal therapy is needed whenever there is irreversible damage to the nerve in your tooth.   The most common cause of nerve damage is deep decay that invades the nerve inside the tooth.   Trauma to a tooth including fractures and and broken teeth are also reasons to have root canal therapy.  

Symptoms of nerve damage can be increased sensitivity to hot or cold liquids, pain when chewing on a specific tooth, swelling around the gums of a tooth, and constant aching in a specific area.  

Techniques for root canal therapy have made incredible differences in the treatment success and comfort.    After local anesthesia is given, rotary files are used to remove the damaged nerve in the tooth.   An inert material called gutta percha is injected into the nerve chamber to seal and sterilize the damaged are of the tooth.    The procedure is painless and usual takes less than an hour to complete.   Treatment usually requires a person to be placed on antibiotics before and after the root canal procedure.

Dr. Van Slate has been trained in root canal therapy and has a lot of clinical experience in this area; therefore, he does most root canals in his office.