When you’re feeling dental pain or discomfort that won’t go away or is extremely severe, then you might need root canal treatment. But today, root canal treatment is quick and efficient.
Our primary goal is to save your natural teeth whenever possible. Endodontics is the treatment of the pulp and surrounding tissues of a tooth that we use to do just that.
Root canals are most often necessary when decay reaches the nerve of the tooth or the tooth has become infected. When root canal therapy is performed, infected or inflamed pulp is removed from the tooth chamber. The inside of the tooth is then cleaned and disinfected before being filled and sealed to limit the possibility of future infection. After the root canal is performed, the tooth is restored with a dental crown or filling to protect the tooth and restore normal tooth function.
Why a Root Canal May Be Needed
A root canal may be needed when dental decay has occurred and affected the dental pulp that’s inside your tooth. Made of connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, and other types of tissues, the dental pulp can become inflamed, infected, or both. If it’s left untreated, the infection could spread and affect other parts of your mouth, your dental health and overall health, too.
But a root canal treatment effectively prevents that risk, preventing infection or eliminating infection from inside your tooth.
What Exactly Is a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment involves the removal of the dental pulp that has been affected by decay.
During this procedure, the crown of the tooth is opened, allowing us to access the root canal. The pulp tissue in the infected root canal is removed and the canals cleaned. A series of files is then used to remove any remaining tissue, slightly enlarge the canals, and smooth the walls of these canals.
Once any infection has completely cleared up, which could take a few days or possibly a bit longer, the root canals are sealed with a material called gutta percha or with root canal sealer, in order to prevent bacteria or debris from entering the root canals and causing further infection.
Once that pulp tissue is removed and sealed, the cavity is disinfected, any leftover debris is removed, and the tooth is sealed, then the crown of the tooth is sealed with a filling or capped with a crown. This repairs the damage and restores the look of your natural tooth.
What to Expect After a Root Canal
While our dental team will plan and consult with you on your aftercare instructions, basically you’ll find that healing is typically quick. However, you may still find you have some amount of discomfort or swelling or experience sensitivity while chewing. But as long as you follow your simple aftercare instructions, you should start feeling recovered in just a few days. Any post-treatment symptoms are usually mild and should only require over-the-counter analgesics to handle discomfort.
If you’re experiencing a toothache or excruciating pain, you may have infected teeth or tooth decay that require prompt care. Our experienced dentist provides gentle, effective root canal procedure treatments to remove damaged tissues from the pulp chamber, restore your comfort, and protect your oral health.
While there’s a common misconception that this procedure is painful, most patients find relief quickly, especially since treatment begins with a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. After careful cleaning and an X-ray to confirm the area is clear, a dental filling is placed to seal the treated tooth, and final placement restores it to a strong, healthy state.
If you’re ready to feel better and preserve your smile, contact our dentistry team today to schedule your consultation. We’re here to help patients get lasting relief and maintain excellent oral health.
If you’re ready to learn more about root canals, or schedule a consultation for root canal treatment, reach out to us today. Call 949-916-7800 to schedule an appointment.
