As the name suggests, root canal therapy (also known as endodontic therapy) is required when a dentist discovers infection and inflammation in the roots of a patient’s tooth.

This can occur when there is decay or trauma deep within the tooth.

The inside of our teeth contains pulp that at some point may become infected. Infections can occur from:

• Cavities
• Damage or Injury
• Multiple procedures performed on that tooth

Like most invasive dental procedures, the infected tooth is numbed before Dr. Cochran works on removing the infected pulp of the tooth. Then, the root canal is given a thorough cleaning to remove any leftover tissue and to kill the infection. Once this is done, it is time to restore the tooth. He’ll then use a rubbery material to fill the canals and a temporary crown will be placed on the tooth. Typically, teeth that have undergone root canal therapy are going to be more fragile than the rest of the teeth. Dr. Cochran will determine if the tooth will benefit from a bonded filling or core buildup and crown depending on the placement and location of the tooth.