Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment can often be performed in one or two visits. The number
of visits and time required to for treatment depends on your particular case. 
The root canal procedure involves the following steps:
- Dr. Wilson will administer local anesthetic to anesthetize the area of treatment. After the tooth is numb, we will place 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.
- Dr. Wilson will make 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 the space for filling.
- After the space is cleaned and shaped, Dr. Wilson 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. A filling is placed to close the opening. In most cases this will be a temporary filling which will be removed by your dentist before the tooth is restored.
- After the final visit with Dr. Wilson,
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
Dr. Wilson may
place a post inside the tooth. Ask your dentist or Dr. Wilson
for more details about the specific restoration planned for your tooth.
Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment after root canal treatment?
You should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had
it restored by your dentist. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture,
so you should see your dentist for a full restoration as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you need only practice good oral 
hygiene, including brushing, flossing,
and regular checkups and cleanings. Most endodontically treated teeth last
as long as other natural teeth. In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone
endodontic treatment does not heal or the pain continues. Occasionally, the
tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful
treatment. Often when this occurs, redoing the endodontic procedure can save
the tooth.