root canal therapy

Root Canal Therapy FAQ | Iowa Falls IA

What materials are used for root canal therapy?

Root canal treatment requires the endodontist to carefully clean, shape, and fill the canal space to ensure that the restored tooth remains free from infection. This process involves the use of:

  • A bleach solution to clean the root canals 
  • Metals files to widen and shape the root canals
  • Gutta Percha (natural rubber material) to fill the root canal 
  • Antibacterial cement or “sealer” to cover the rubber material and prevent bacteria from re-infecting the root canal 

Are there any alternatives to root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy is usually a last resort to save a severely damaged tooth. The only alternative is to extract the tooth and replace it. If the nerve of the tooth is irreversibly damaged or dead, then your tooth cannot recover. Although the symptoms may resolve temporarily, the pain or infection will keep recurring until you take action. 

What risks should I be aware of after root canal treatment?

Though over 90% of root canal treatments are successful, there are some instances when the patient continues to experience pain and infection from the treated tooth, like when:

  • There’s some nerve tissue remaining in the canal space 
  • Long-standing or recurrent infection 
  • The Gutta Percha and sealer fail to completely fill the canal space 
  • The restored tooth had some existing root fracture that was undetected during treatment

Depending on the case, your endodontist in Iowa Falls, IA may choose to extract the tooth or administer root canal retreatment, which involves removal of the filling material to clean and disinfect the canal space again and then repeat the treatment. 

How long does root canal treatment take?

Several factors affect the duration of treatment, including the tooth being treated and whether or not it was infected. Considering that an upper front tooth has only one canal whereas a back tooth has three or four canals, treating a molar is more complex and requires more time. Additionally, treating an infected tooth usually requires more than one appointment for adequate cleaning and disinfection. If your treatment requires multiple visits, a temporary filling will be placed as a seal between visits.