Root Canal Therapy – Tukwila, WA

The Root Canal Treatment Process

Having a root canal is no different than most other dental treatments. It starts with a proper and complete diagnosis to determine which tooth is problematic (it isn’t always obvious) and the extent of the issue, as sometimes the damage is so significant that the tooth cannot be saved. The screening tests may include: percussion (tapping), palpation (lightly rubbing a gloved finger in the area), probing (determining pocket depth of the tissues surrounding the tooth), mobility (does it wiggle?), thermal tests, and X-ray evaluation.

After the tooth has been identified, a small hole is created on top of the tooth to give direct access to the pulp/nerve. The pulp is uncovered enough to ensure complete removal of the pulp tissue and create a path to the canal system. A file is introduced to the canal to determine its length, often with the assistance of a device called an apex locator. This approach is much more accurate at measuring canal length than just an X-ray, so if one is not used in your treatment, you should suspect inadequate care.

Cleaning and Shaping

After the length of the canal is determined, mechanical shaping of the canal is done. This is completed by using incrementally larger files. Dr. Timmerman uses a rotating file system so that the canal is cleaned and shaped precisely. In between each file, an antibacterial liquid is flushed into the system to wash away the bacteria and particles of shaved tooth. This helps to kill the infection.

Disinfection

Mechanical cleaning and shaping are very important, but chemical irrigation is key to disinfecting the tooth. There are many products that can be used, and Dr. Timmerman prefers a combination of materials to make sure the tooth has been disinfected as much as possible. Some bacteria are killed with certain specific methods and others are not. By using a combination, the hope is that the entire spectrum is addressed.

Filling

After a canal has been cleaned, shaped, and disinfected, it must then be filled. The term dentists use is “obturation.” A sealer (imagine caulking) coats a gutta percha “cone,” a rubber-like material that is often used at the core of golf balls (fun fact). This prevents re-infection of the root canal system by hermetically sealing the canal and gives the root of the tooth increased strength

Final Crown

If a tooth is treated with root canal therapy but NOT restored with a final restoration (crown, onlay, or whatever is determined as necessary), the tooth can still be lost. The hollowing out process of the therapy leaves a weaker tooth that is prone to fracture. Unprotected teeth that have had RCT can sometimes crack or break in such a way that the tooth must be extracted.