Procedures & Services

During your consult, we examine the tooth and ensure that a root canal is the most effective treatment. If a different treatment is necessary, Dr. Lanning will explain all options available to guide each patient's next step. In many cases, 3D Imaging is recommended for optimum treatment planning. 

3D CT scanning is a type of dental x-ray image that enables us to see bone, soft tissue and even nerve pathways in one detailed view.

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure performed to remove inflamed or infected pulp on the inside of the tooth which is then carefully cleaned and disinfected, filled and sealed. Root canal treatment is designed to eliminate  the inflamed or infected nerve inside of the root canal and prevent reinfection in order to preserve the natural tooth.

With proper care, even teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime. But sometimes, a tooth that has been treated doesn't heal properly and can become painful or diseased months or even years after treatment. If your tooth failed to heal or develops new problems, you have a second chance. An additional procedure may be able to support healing and save your tooth by undoing and redoing the initial root canal treatment.

It’s possible that an initial root canal or retreatment procedure will not be enough to save your tooth. This surgical approach is often recommended when calcifications and/or dental materials already present inhibit access to full treatment of a canal(s). Another reason this may be needed is when inflammation or infection persists in the bony area around the end of your tooth after a root canal procedure, leaving internal treatment ineffective. What now? Lose my tooth? Not yet! 

Believe it or not, kids need root canals too! In pediatric cases, root canals are used to manage issues caused by severe decay, dental trauma, or developmental problems, with the goal of saving the tooth and ensuring proper development for permanent teeth. For any grown adult, the phrase "you need a root canal" can be scary. Imagine being a child! We offer nitrous oxide inhalation in many pediatric and adult cases when an individual would otherwise be unable to tolerate treatment.