When the inside of a tooth is damaged, your smile needs more than a filling or a crown. Rather, the traumatized or infected nerve needs to be removed. Otherwise, the tooth will develop chronic abscesses, toothaches, or even erode from the inside out. In situations like these, we recommend a root canal.
Endodontic treatment (root canals) are procedures that make an access point to the nerve chamber and remove the damaged fibers inside. Once the canal is completely cleaned, we will medicate the inside surfaces before sealing it off entirely. This prevents reinfection that could be caused by bacteria entering into the tooth again. Most people refer to this process as “getting a root canal.”
Fortunately, this procedure is much more comfortable than you might expect. We provide each patient with a Comfort Menu, including sedation options to keep you as relaxed as possible. Plus, the entire area surrounding the tooth is thoroughly numbed before we begin treatment.
You may need a root canal if you have experienced:
Most of our nerve treatments are performed right here in our office, so there is no need to refer you to an endodontic specialist.
Once your tooth has been restored on the inside, we need to take steps to protect the outside. After all, the tooth is no longer alive – which means it can easily fracture or wear away. To protect it, we will place a crown over the top of the tooth, up to the gum lines.
Dr. Fine works with a master ceramist, who creates realistic crowns that match the appearance of your other teeth.