Teeth are constantly exposed to foods, sugars, and bacteria. Even with good brushing and flossing habits, an infection can start to grow inside a tooth. When this happens, treatment needs to focus on preserving healthy tooth structure whenever possible. That’s where biological root canals come in.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure used to remove the infected soft tissue inside a tooth called the pulp. Then, the spaces where the pulp was removed are filled and sealed. In the final step, a crown is put on top of the tooth, which helps protect it from further damage.
Do I Need a Root Canal?
Here are some of the most common signs someone might have an infected tooth that requires root canal therapy:
- Persistent tooth pain in one tooth that doesn’t go away
- Pain that gets worse when biting or chewing
- Pain that radiates to other teeth or the jaw and ear
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, especially if it lasts
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis) that doesn’t get better with brushing
- Swelling and tenderness in the gums near the painful tooth
- Discoloration of the painful tooth
Biological Root Canal Therapy & How It Works
Not all root canals are the same. Traditional root canal therapy can be aggressive and damage the natural tooth beyond what is needed to treat the infection. At San Francisco Green Dentistry, Dr. Nammy employs a more holistic approach that preserves more of the natural tooth while supporting the body’s natural healing process.
How Biological Root Canal Therapy Works
Biological root canal therapy involves several steps:
1. Careful Diagnosis and Imaging
Advanced imaging is used to evaluate the tooth, identify the infection, and determine how much of the pulp and surrounding tissue can be preserved while removing 100% of the infection.
2. Minimally Invasive Access
Rather than removing large portions of the tooth, Dr. Nammy creates a smaller opening to access the infected area using state-of-the-art fiber optic illumination and magnification, so more natural tooth structure can be preserved.
3. Gentle Cleaning and Disinfection
Then, Dr. Nammy gently cleans the infected canals with flexible files coated in ozonated olive oil. This not only helps the files glide precisely around the areas to be treated, but it also disinfects remaining tissue as infected tissue is removed.
Once filing is complete, sterile, ozonated water is then used to flush any remaining contents from the canals. Then, ozone gas is applied to disinfect small tubules that are attached to the canal.
4. Biocompatible Sealing
Finally, a biologically compatible material called Endocal is applied to the inside of the canals to kill bacteria and seal the openings created by filing.
5. CEREC Same-Day Crown
Once the tooth is clean and sealed, Dr. Nammy creates and installs a CEREC Same-Day crown using 3D imaging technology and safe, long-lasting materials.
