Root Canal Treatment

Every tooth has two sections: a crown, the visible part of the tooth above the gum line, and one or more roots, which anchor the teeth within the jaw. Each tooth has three basic layers: an outer layer of hard enamel (which protects the crown) or cementum (which covers the root), a middle layer of softer dentin, and inside the center of the tooth, the pulp.

Pulp is living tissue containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It’s found in the pulp chamber within the crown and in the root canals that lead from the pulp chamber to the tip of each root.

When tooth pulp is infected or dying, it can’t be restored. Without prompt treatment, tooth extraction is often necessary. Moreover, an infection in the pulp can spread to the gum tissue, the jawbone, and other parts of the body. A root canal procedure can prevent tooth loss and more widespread infection by removing infected pulp tissue and restoring the integrity of the tooth structure.

What can make root canal treatment necessary?

Even with the protective layers surrounding it, tooth pulp is vulnerable to infection and injury:

  • A deep cavity can extend to the pulp chamber, permitting bacteria to reach the pulp and cause infection.
  • Similarly, a broken or cracked tooth can allow bacteria access to the pulp chamber.
  • With serious gum disease, infection can spread from the gums to the pulp inside the roots.
  • Tooth trauma can critically damage the nerves or the blood vessels inside the tooth, leading to pulp death.

The Root Canal Procedure

root canal treatmentA root canal procedure is relatively straightforward. If you are anxious about the procedure, your dentist can recommend sedations options.

  • First, the area around the tooth is numbed. A dental dam is often placed around the tooth to isolate the area.
  • An opening in the crown is made to allow access to the pulp inside.
  • Small, precise instruments are used to clean the inner pulp chamber and root canals and to remove dead or dying tissue.
  • The area is thoroughly disinfected.
  • The inside of the tooth is shaped to hold a filling.
  • The roots and pulp chamber are filled with gutta-percha or a dental composite and sealed.

A crown is typically used to protect and reinforce the tooth after treatment. A temporary filling or crown will be placed on the tooth to prevent bacteria and food from entering the site while a permanent crown is created. This permanent crown will be placed at a later visit. The entire process usually takes from one to three appointments.

Symptoms of Pulp Infection

A tooth that needs root canal treatment might be symptom-free, but any of these symptoms are strong indications that the pulp has suffered infection or injury:

  • Persistent tooth pain, which can be dull or sharp and severe
  • Pain when chewing or when any pressure is placed on the tooth
  • Prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold
  • A cracked, broken, darkened, or discolored tooth
  • Gum tissue near the tooth which is sore, red, or swollen
  • A pimple-like bump on the gums that persists or keeps recurring. This is the sign of an abscess, an infection in the gum or bone near the root of the tooth.

A root canal should be performed by an endodontist or a dentist who has special training in treating the interior of the tooth. Call your dentist immediately if you have any symptoms of pulp infection or injury. Prompt endodontic treatment can relieve tooth pain and prevent further infection. And, with proper dental care and regular checkups, your restored tooth can last a lifetime.

Our Location

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Hours of Operation

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:15 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-3:30 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

What Our Clients Say About Us

  • "This office at Washington Street in Wellesley is incredibly well run. Everybody is friendly and very professional.

    Lyn Galante cleans my teeth very thoroughly and gently and gives me good dental health advice.

    Suzanne Gendell is a fabulous dentist, a thoughtful and very pleasant person, and I trust her implicitly.

    When people say "I hate to go to the dentist" I always respond "I don't!""
    Ilse S
  • "Dr. Harrison is the BEST dentist I have ever had. He is an expert in the art of dentistry, He explains procedures in detail and answers all questions and concerns completely. He is very professional and easy to talk to. I always feel confident that the work he performed is of the highest quality. I would highly recommend him."
    Jane D
  • "A lot of thought and preparation has obviously gone into the new set up. I felt very safe, the space was very clean and the new procedures all made sense. I’ll be back in 6 months"
    Jerry D
  • "Very thorough, efficient hygiene appointment and exam with Dr. Gendel. I could not be more satisfied!"
    Catherine H
  • "I was treated very professionally and courteously by Dr. Burnett and Bruno. They were very positive and gave me great hope for solutions to my dental dilemma. I look forward to future dental visits. Thank you."
    Manuel D
  • "Very professional and courteous service. Suzy is an exceptional Dental technician."
    Ashok P
  • "This group is the most professional and caring group you could ever ask for. Dr.Harrison and his team are nothing but the best!"
    Catharine F
  • "I really appreciated the warmth and kindness of the people who worked at MetroWest Dental. The doctor and assistant were very professional yet friendly, too. I loved it!"
    GABRIELLE E
  • "Excellence experience from start to finish!"
    Robert A
  • "Absolutely amazing! The responsiveness, professionalism and genuine caring was unparalleled."
    Casey R
  • "Great service. I feel very safe. Such expertise and into cutting edge safety COVID efforts"
    Carla B
  • "Metro west Dental spends more time with their patients than any other dentist office I’ve been to. Great staff."
    Brett S
  • "Great dentist and extremely friendly staff. Very professional and have only positive experiences visiting."
    Zachary Zieper
  • "Super friendly and highly recommended by my ace dentist who is retiring."
    Beryl Bergen
  • "Great as always. Such pros, such warmth and care.
    My mouth could not be happier."
    Arno Rafael Minkkinen
  • "Dr. Inna gave me Botox and it is terrific. The procedure was painless. She was very gentle and kind.
    During the next few weeks, so many people in my life noticed how much younger I look. My forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet are gone.
    I highly recommend Dr. Inna for all dental and cosmetic procedures."
    Carole Sage
  • "I was nervous to go to my dental appointment during a pandemic, but they made a lot of changes in their office and procedures to address the COVID situation. This made me feel safer and more comfortable, and of course, the continued excellence & quality of the care provided by the staff at this office remains the same as always."
    D T
  • "Lynn is great. Fast and comfortable. And fun to talk to. Very personable."
    John Fritts
  • "Fantastic cleaning. Good attention to Covid safety."
    Jim Ogletree
  • "Susie the hygenist did a fabulous job cleaning my teeth! Everyone at the office is warm and friendly. I highly recommend this dental office!"
    Donna Santamaria
  • "I have been a patient of Dr. Burnett for the past two years at Metro West Dental. The office is very clean and welcoming and the staff are always polite and knowledgeable.
    *Parking is also a plus*
    I started seeing Dr.Burnett for Botox that started out cosmetically. Dr.Burnett made the experience very pleasant from my first time and has stayed that way till now! Dr.Burnett had suggested that I try the Botox for my clenching and it has HELPED tremendously. I’m very thankful for her ability to make me feel beautiful and confident in her care."
    Ester Kuritnik
  • "Dr. Burnett is an incredible dentist. I worked with her for both my Invisalign and Zoom whitening treatment, and I couldn't be happier with my result. She is extremely thorough and pays attention to every detail. My teeth are perfect because of her work. I highly recommend her."
    Caraline Zeizel
  • "My visit with Dr. Harrison was exceptional. The office was so organized and extremely clean and organized. I felt safe and well taken care of during my visit. Tina was attentive, competent and so friendly. Dr. Harrison has always maintained a A+++ office. Highest quality of dental care ! Thank you!"
    Carole Anne Parisi
  • "Beyond grateful and impressed. After a different dentist made some mistakes on a chipped filling and tore up the side of my mouth doing so, I was beside myself. Metro West got me in so quickly despite being booked. Dr. Burnett was beyond wonderful. She’s so kind and tried so hard to make everything painless. Tina was also wonderful to chat with and so on top of everything. The office was totally secure and COVID-19 safe with many precautions. I’m getting ready to move out of the area, but would recommend this office and Dr. Burnett to anyone. Top notch."
    Leah Salloway