Root Canal

Root canal treatment (RCT) and dental crowns (caps) are often used together to restore a damaged or infected tooth, allowing it to function and look natural again. Here’s how each procedure works and why they are commonly paired.

Root Canal Treatment (RCT)

A root canal treatment is performed to save a tooth with infected or damaged pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels). This infection often results from deep decay, repeated dental procedures, or cracks in the tooth, leading to pain, sensitivity, or even abscess formation if left untreated.

The Root Canal Process:

Anesthesia: The area is numbed to ensure the procedure is pain-free.
Accessing the Pulp: A small opening is made in the tooth to access the infected pulp.
Cleaning and Shaping: The infected or dead tissue is removed from the root canals, which are then cleaned, disinfected, and shaped.
Filling: The cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material (often gutta-percha) to seal them and prevent reinfection.
Temporary Filling: A temporary filling is placed on top until a crown can be placed for final restoration.