Chances are you have heard of some one who has needed a root canal. Usually, people discover they need one when a tooth has become so painful, that something must be done. That is why we encourage routine dental x-rays. Finding, diagnosing and treating problems before they hurt is our primary goal in our office located on Zebulon road in Macon. 

Our teeth essentially have three layers. Tooth Decay first attacks the enamel our outside shell. This is the hardest material in the human body, but still needs protecting. Next it attacks the Dentin which is softer and made of millions of tiny tubes. If the decay makes it all the way to the pulp or innermost layer of the tooth, it usually hurts. Because the pulp is vascular with a tiny vein, artery and nerve, we cannot put a hard material like a composite filling there with out it swelling and causing pain. 

Tooth decay softens what is typically very hard dense tooth structure. We use dental drills because it is much faster and more efficient than removing that soft material by hand. If that soft decayed tooth structure reaches all the way to the pulp, we only have two choices: pull the tooth or do a root canal. 

A root canal is part of the practice of dentistry call Endodontics. It is a simple procedure, but it requires a great deal of training and expertise to perfect. All of the decayed tooth structure is removed once the tooth is numb. Next, Dr. Steve removes the tissue, blood supply and nerve from the root(s) of the tooth. The tooth is then sealed back up and may need a post like pictured above.

Without its blood supply and with so much healthy tooth structure missing, the tooth will become brittle and is very vulnerable to breaking. Root canal teeth will usually need to be built back up, and will require a crown for strength and protection.