Saving your natural tooth with root canal therapy

At the practice of Dr. Mark Johnson, root canal therapy is routinely performed on decayed teeth to save them from extraction and preserve the root of the tooth. Root canal therapy allows the removal of infected, inflamed root canal contents and reshapes root surfaces before the permanent filling material is placed. With the use of endodontic treatment, he can help patients save a natural tooth from needing permanent extraction.

What can I expect from my root canal treatment?

Many patients who visit Mark W. Johnson, DDS in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are surprised when told that root canals aren’t painful or scary at all, but routine dental procedures like having a cavity filled. Most people associate root canals with unpleasant thoughts such as discomfort. However, root canals simply remove infection inside the root of the tooth while giving your dentist access to internal parts of your natural tooth. During the procedure, Dr. Johnson will access the infected tooth and dental pulp area. This mass of tissues is removed, the inner areas of the tooth are disinfected, and a rubber-like dental material called gutta-percha is used to fill the remaining cavity. Composite resin bonding is used to seal the tooth. For teeth near the back of the mouth that need to withstand chewing forces, a tooth that has recently had endodontic therapy may also have an additional layer of protection with a custom dental crown placement.

Are there alternative treatments to root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy is often chosen as the last effort in saving a natural tooth before requiring extraction. Extraction will be avoided at all costs whenever possible, as it is always best to keep permanent, adult teeth in place.

Save a natural tooth with root canal therapy

If you are searching for a dentist “near me” that offers root canal therapy in the community of Albuquerque, NM, we welcome you to call the office of Dr. Mark Johnson. Call (505) 922-9511 to request an appointment at our facility, conveniently located at 5115 Coors Boulevard NW #F. We are open to new and returning patients and families ready for the best care possible for general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry.