Root canal therapy is a treatment applied to repair or save a tooth that is severely decayed or infected. In cases of severe caries, bacteria have already spread deep into dental pulp which is composed of nerves and blood vessels. Root canal therapy involves the removal of these structures, the subsequent shaping, cleaning, and decontamination of the hollows with small files and irrigating solutions, and the filling of the decontaminated canals. Generally, an inert filling such as gutta-percha will be used. 

    Root canal therapy is usually conducted by an endodontist who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of dental pulp, requiring a few visits to complete the whole procedure. The first step is to take an X-ray to see the shape of root canals and the specific condition of the surrounding bone. Then an endodontic file will be used to clean and shape the root canals, followed by a filling of gutta-percha. The last restoration will be placing a crown on the tooth, which serves to restore the tooth to full function and protect it from breaking.

    Currently, root canal therapy is highly successful, with more than a 95% success rate. Bear in mind to follow your endodontist’s instructions and keep good oral hygiene practices after the treatment. With good care, chances are that a tooth undergoing root canal therapy can last a lifetime. 

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