What is a root canal?

Root Canal Therapy, or Endodontic Treatment, is the process by which infection is removed with the nerve of a tooth. Often times, root canal therapy is the only alternative to extracting an infected tooth. Dr. Yeary may place a crown over the treated tooth to preserve its strength.

• In the past, the phrase ‘root canal’ has been associated with a lot of pain and fear. These days, the treatment is relatively quick, simple, and is done with minimal patient discomfort! Root canal therapy is usually done in one visit but depends greatly on what Dr. Yeary finds once he has gained access into the root canal, or if the infection is too great.
  
• In simple words, a root canal involves going inside of the tooth and cleaning out all of the bad and infected stuff and replacing it with artificial filling material that is healthy for the tooth.
  
• Once the root canal is finished, the tooth will need a permanent restoration. This can be a filling, crown, or onlay (a partial crown). If the patient needs a crown or onlay, then the patient will leave that day with a temporary and return to the office in approximately two weeks or so for the permanent restoration.