Root Canals in Westmont, IL

It starts with a comprehensive exam in our office. We take digital x-rays and, if needed, a 3D cone beam scan. We explain what we see and review all your options, including root canal, extraction, or another treatment.

If root canal therapy is recommended, we schedule you with one of the endodontists (root canal specialists) we regularly work with. We share your records, your 3D images and detailed notes so they understand your case before you arrive.

Depending on the tooth and the infection, the endodontist may complete treatment in one visit or over more than one appointment. They thoroughly clean and disinfect the canals before sealing them. Some teeth need additional medication before they feel completely better.

Then you come back to our Westmont office. We place a durable crown or restoration to rebuild the tooth’s strength and protect it long-term. Your follow-up care stays in the office you already know.

Inside each root is a tiny canal that contains the nerve and blood supply of the tooth. When bacteria reach it, that tissue becomes inflamed or infected. During treatment the infected tissue is gently cleaned out and the canals are disinfected. Then they are filled with a rubbery, medicated material that seals the root tip.

If bacteria are left inside the root, the body tries to fight the infection. White blood cells gather, die, and form an abscess near the tip of the root. That abscess must be cleared for the tooth to heal, which is why some teeth need more than one visit.

Our 3D cone beam imaging shows the shape, number and length of the canals inside your tooth. That detailed view helps determine whether a root canal is the best option. It also gives our endodontic partners the information they need to treat the tooth predictably.