Infected teeth can often be saved through root canals, or endodontic treatment. Root canals involve treating the inside of your tooth, and removing the infected dental pulp. Dr. Salm performs this procedure on-site, and usually uses a rotary system. This system is more precise than traditional methods, and can often make the procedure quicker and less invasive.
Root canal therapy or endodontic treatment can be done in as little as one visit. We start the process by examining and radiographing the infected tooth. An anesthetic is injected and once the tooth is numb, we place a sheet onto the tooth to protect it and surrounding areas, and to isolate saliva from the tooth during the operation. We make an opening in the crown or the topmost part of the tooth. Then we wash the infected area found in the pulp chamber and root canals of the lower part of the tooth.
After we clean the area, we fill the root canals with biocompatible material and place a gutta percha with an adhesive cement to secure the sealing of the root canal. Often times, a temporary filling is put in prior to the treatment.