Root Canals Assisted by Laser

In our office we use the laser to assist root canal treatment. It helps us with:

1. Finding lateral canals (a major causes of failure if not found)
2. Cleaning the canals from bacterial infection
3. Sterilizing the tissue surrounding the apex of the roots 
4. Draining the abscess 

In general, root canal treatment is done when decay will likely cause damage or has already killed a tooth. During a root canal, a dentist removes the pulp from the centre of a tooth and fills the pulp cavity. This can prevent the development of a painful infection in the pulp that may spread to other teeth. A root canal can also treat an infection that has developed into an abscessed tooth. This procedure can relieve toothache, stop infection, and promote healing.

• First, the dentist will numb your gums with a substance that feels like jelly. After your gums are numb, the dentist will inject a local anaesthetic that will completely numb the teeth, gums, tongue, and skin in that area. 
• The dentist may separate the decayed tooth from the other teeth with a small sheet of rubber on a metal frame. This protective rubber sheet also helps stop liquid and tooth chips from entering your mouth and throat.
• The dentist will use a drill and other tools to remove the pulp from the tooth and will fill the inside part of the tooth below the gum line with medicines, temporary filling materials, and a final root canal filling.
• After the root canal, a permanent filling or crown (cap) is often needed. If a crown is needed, the dentist removes the decay, and then makes an impression of the tooth. A technician uses the impression to make a crown that perfectly matches the drilled tooth.
• The tooth may be fitted with a temporary crown until the permanent crown is made and cemented into place.