Laser Assisted Root Canal

Many people recoil with fearwhen they hear the term “root canal,” because of the pre-conceived notion that root canal causes pain. The truth is,a root canal alleviates pain. Yes, root canal therapy is just a common dental treatment to save an abscessed tooth. A laser-assisted root canal treatment will change your tune! It is a procedure where the infected nerve tissue is cleaned out and replaced with a permanent filler to prevent further infection and deterioration of the tooth. Yes, the goal is to salvage your tooth rather than extract it, and with good reason.

The Procedure
Your dentist uses a new laser technology called "Waterlase", to perform root canals. Waterlase combines laser precision with a focused stream of high-pressure water system to gently and effectively irrigate, decontaminate and reduce bacteria, the major contributor to root canal abscess. The laser penetrates deep into the dentinal tubules removing bacteria, without damaging the surrounding tissues. Waterlase cleans the root thoroughly and creates a sterilizing effect thereby increasing your chances of a successful procedure.

The Ideal Candidate
You are an ideal candidate for root canal therapy if you

• Suffer from chronic infection with a cyst at the root tip
• Suffer internal resorption 
• Still have healthy teeth and the infection is not so advanced that the tooth is unable to be saved
• Have a tooth that has been fractured or when decay has entered the nerve chamber and causes much pain
• Have good general health and oral health, except at the affected site
• Suffer bacterial attacks that degenerate into death of the pulp
• Bite on the tooth and it elicits discomfort 
• Have realistic expectations about the treatment process and what it entails

The Time Frame
Root canals may require a single or multiple appointments, depending on the complexity of the tooth’s anatomy, the severity of the infection and the accessibility to the area. The more roots a tooth has, the longer the treatment will take to complete.

The Side effects
Thermal injury to the periodontal ligament and other supporting structures is an unwanted side effect of laser root canal.

The Risks Involved
Unresolved infection and risk of fracturing under pressure as the ‘root-treated’ teeth become dead and weaker than living teeth. Lasers radiate in a straight line and hence may not easily follow the tortuous curves and bends of the nerve canal. The laser probe is also too large to get into the small tubules of the root canal. Moreover, the complex anatomy of the root canal system makes it impossible to completely eliminate all the bacteria.

The Recovery
As WaterLase laser does not require any vibrating drills, your treatment will involve minimal discomfort. However, your gums may feel sore and your tooth may feel slightly sensitive due to natural tissue inflammation, but this can be effectively managed with over-the counter pain medications. As far as oral hygiene is concerned, you can brush and floss as you normally would and schedule dentist appointments at regular intervals.

The Impact
After a laser root canal, your tooth will be stronger, to ensure adequate protection against further decay and damage. The laser kills bacteria effectively and the likelihood of needing retreatment is also much lower. Root canal saves your natural tooth and allows you to keep it functional for decades if not a lifetime. Yes, as long as the roots of a ‘treated tooth’ are properly nourished by the surrounding tissues, your tooth will remain healthy. Root canal is truly an investment in your long-term oral health.

With laser root canal, is simply a breeze. Don’t clench your teeth in nervousness, a root canal does not cause pain, it relieves pain!  With root canal, saving your tooth goes a long way in preserving the status quo! Salvage your tooth and beautiful smile with a laser root canal procedure.