Root Canal Treatment in Berkeley Heights, NJ | Holistic Dentistry
What Is A Root Canal? A Root Canal-Treated (RCT) or root-filled tooth is one in which the dental nerve, commonly called the pulp, is intentionally removed and is filled with an inert material called gutta-percha. Once an RCT is performed, the tooth must be restored with a post and a crown. These will strengthen the tooth and prevent a crack or fracture from developing after treatment. A good analogy is a tree branch. When it’s alive, it flexes or bends when pressure is applied. On the other hand, a dead branch, like an RCT, will break under the same stress. What Are The Pros And Cons Of Root Canals? The pro of a root canal is obvious: the painful or dead tooth is treated and extraction is avoided. But we must ask two key questions before starting a root canal. Can the tooth be restored? Can a predictable RCT be performed, or are there risks for a poor result? Research has found four major causes of root canal failure: Tooth or root fracture Infections including bact...