Root Canal Therapy

The Athens Dental Depot is proud to have Dr. Louis Susi, a Columbus endodontist, on our team. Endodontists are dentists who have two additional years of specialized education and training in diagnosis and root canal therapy. Dr. Susi uses his experience to treat difficult cases, such as teeth with blocked canals, unusual root anatomy, and root canal retreatment.

Root canal treatment is necessary when the soft tissue inside the tooth root becomes inflamed and/or infected. This may be caused by a history of trauma to the teeth (recent trauma or trauma that occurred weeks, months, or years ago), deep decay, fillings that are deep and approximate the nerve chamber, fractured, cracked, or chipped teeth, or parafunctional habits, such as bruxing (grinding), that expose the nerve of the tooth.

1. The endodontist examines and x-rays the tooth, then administers local anesthetic. After the tooth is numb, the endodontist places a small protective sheet called a “dental dam” over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure.

2. The endodontist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape for filling.

3. After the space is cleaned and shaped, the endodontist fills the root canals with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called “gutta-percha.” The gutta-percha is placed with an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canals. In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening. The temporary filling will be removed by your dentist before the tooth is restored.

4. After the final visit with your endodontist, you must return to your dentist to have a crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.

If the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold the restoration in place, your dentist or endodontist may place a post inside the tooth. Ask your dentist or endodontist for more details about the specific restoration planned for your tooth.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as pain, heat sensitivity, cold sensitivity that seems to linger, tenderness to touching and/or biting, discoloration of the tooth, swelling, drainage, or tenderness of the lymph nodes, please call the Athens Dental Depot to schedule an evaluation, as you may be able to save your natural tooth or teeth with root canal therapy. Dr. Susi uses the latest in proven technology to provide painless treatment with exceptional results.

Contact the Athens Dental Depot now!