How Does a Non-Surgical Root Canal Work?

No one likes to hear that they’re going to need a root canal. Of all the dental treatments and procedures, root canal is one of the more serious ones, used when there’s serious damage to the tooth. Ironically, a root canal is also one of the most effective dental treatments for worst case tooth decay, and it can save a tooth from having to be extracted. But did you know that there are two forms of root canal; one surgical and the other non-surgical?

How Does a Non-Surgical Root Canal Work?

It all starts with diagnosis by your dentist in Mountain View, CA. Of course, your dentist is on the frontline when it comes to detecting trouble, and when it comes to needing a root canal, your dentist will use digital imaging to assess the health of the bone around the tooth and to visualize the shape and condition of the root canals.

On the day, you’ll be given local anesthesia so that you can remain as comfortable—and pain-free—as possible.

Your dentist will drill a small hole in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp chamber, and then use special tools to clean out all of the infected pulp from the root canal. The vacant space is then shaped with tiny flexible instruments to prepare it for filling. Before filling, though, the root canal is disinfected and flushed to remove all the bacteria and debris.

Next, the root canal is filled with a hygienic, biocompatible material, and sealed with an adhesive dental cement.

The grand finale of this whole procedure is the placing of a dental crown on a subsequent visit, which acts like a real tooth and restores appearance and function.

Non-Surgical vs. Surgical Root Canal

The main difference between a non-surgical and a surgical root canal lies in how the root is accessed. A non-surgical root canal in Mountain View, CA treats the pulp damage through the crown of the tooth and is the most common approach. In contrast, a surgical root canal involves making an incision in the gum tissue to expose the underlying bone and remove the infected parts of the tooth root.

Talk to your dentist to find out if your situation can be remedied with a non-surgical root canal. Contact us today to book your appointment.