Root Canal Therapy

Once upon a time, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you'd probably lose that tooth. Today, with a special dental procedure called a root canal therapy, Dr. Cutler may be able to help you save that tooth. Inside each tooth is the pulp which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth, it runs like a thread down through the root. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If you don't remove it, your tooth gets infected and you could lose it. After Dr. Cutler removes the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then she places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger.

Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits. Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile! Dr. Cutler will evaluate the tooth and may refer you to an endodontic specialist for the root canal treatment.

The pictures below show the sequence of an infected tooth through
root canal therapy

The first picture shows a tooth with an infection at the end of the root. Dr. Cutler opens the top of the tooth to gain access to the infected pulp.

The second picture shows how Dr. Cutler accesses the infection and cleans out the affected pulp.

The third picture is showing the canals filled with a rubber material (gutta percha) that seals the end of the root to help prevent the return of an infection.

The last picture shows the tooth being rebuilt with a crown, to cover the outside of the tooth and help make it stronger.

The final x-ray of the tooth shows the proper fill of the pulp chamber and the tooth is now ready for Dr. Cutler to build-up and crown.