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Slide show: Root canal treatment
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Slide show
Slide show: Root canal treatment
By Mayo Clinic staff
Overview of root canal treatment
Root canal is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it. The term "root canal" comes from cleaning of the canals inside a tooth's root. Decades ago, root canal treatments often were painful. With dental advances and local anesthetics, most people have little if any pain with a root canal. In fact, it's probably more painful living with a decayed tooth. Root canal alternatives include extracting the damaged tooth and replacing it with a dental implant, bridge or removable partial denture.
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References
- Endodontic treatment. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/2890.aspx. Accessed Nov. 3, 2011.
- Root canals. American Association of Endodontists. http://www.aae.org/Patients/Endodontic_Treatments/Root_Canals.aspx. Accessed Nov. 3, 2011.
- Dental materials. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/3416.aspx. Accessed Nov. 3, 2011.
- Carr AB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 8, 2011.
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