Standard Root canal Therapy

What is standard root canal therapy?

Standard root canal therapy is also known as non surgical root canal therapy. This means that the skin is not cut in order to do the root canal. In this procedure a small hole is made through the crown of the tooth to reach the pulp cavity. All the pulp is removed. The canal is sterilized and the walls of the root canal are filed. The canal is then dried, sealed and filled with a material (usually gutta percha) to prevent any infection entering the canal and reaching the end of the root canal, called the apex. The opening in the crown is filled with special material that is the same colour as the tooth. 

During the procedure x-rays are taken at every step to ensure a good fill. This procedure cannot be done without intraoral x-rays i.e. x-rays must be taken within the mouth. This requires a dental x-ray machine.

Can this be done on awake dogs and cats?

No. The patient is anesthetized as these are long procedures and the patient must be very still during the whole procedure. For this reason anesthesia must be well monitored by trained staff and tailored to the needs of the patient.

Rechecks

Root canals must be checked using x-rays over time. The first recheck is usually done 6 months after the procedure, then at 1 year and every year after that for 5 years. This usually is done with another procedure such as the regular teeth clean (COHAT).

Crowns

To protect the filled hole in the crown from damage (usually trauma) a crown is often recommended especially on the back teeth, the molars and fourth upper premolars.

How long does this take?

The time this takes varies depending on the tooth to be filled, techniques used and the surgeon.

Can any veterinarian do this?

Extensive training is needed to do a good root root canal. One cannot tell just by looking at a tooth that it is or is not a good root canal. The only way is to use radiographs to monitor the tooth over the years.

It is easy to learn?

No, it is extremely difficult and requires  practice, patience, focus  and concentration.

How can I get a root canal done on my pet's tooth?

Ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinarain who has trained to do this. There are veterinary dentists available in many areas now who have taken the training to perform root canals. At Little Mountain Veterinary Clinic, Dr Banyard is now offering this service. 

6793 Yale Road East

Last updated 8/27/2009