Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

Hearing you need a root canal is often unsettling. The good news is that advances in technology and techniques allow us to provide comfortable, gentle endodontic treatments. Root canals can preserve damaged teeth, restoring their function and allowing you to maintain your natural, confident smile.
Why Would You Need a Root Canal?
You may need root canal therapy if the soft tissue in the center of the tooth called the pulp is damaged by decay, infection, or trauma. If left untreated, an affected tooth is vulnerable to complications such as an abscess. In some cases, the damage progresses beyond repair, leaving us with no option but to extract the tooth.
Missing a tooth will require additional restorative procedures such as bridges or implants to prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting out of alignment and causing a host of dental problems. Root canal therapy allows us to restore a damaged tooth’s form and normal function. The procedure is very successful and sustainable. Proper oral hygiene habits and a healthy diet will help avoid the recurrence of decay and infection.
Signs You Need a Root Canal
Signs and symptoms that you need a root canal include a raised pimple-like bump on the gums indicating an abscess, a persistent toothache, prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold, swelling and tenderness in the area, and tooth discoloration. At times there may be no symptoms, so we encourage you to schedule your regular dental exams to allow us to identify any problems and address them before they progress.
What Is the Procedure?
Root canals are routinely performed by general dentists or endodontists, which are dentists that specialize only in root canals. The procedure starts with numbing the area and placing a rubber dam around the tooth to keep it dry and to protect the rest of your mouth from the dental material used. A small opening is made on the top of the tooth to access and remove the infected pulp and nerve tissue. The canals in the tooth roots are cleaned and disinfected then sealed. If the infection is extensive, a medication may be placed in the root canals.
Once the inflammation resolves and healing begins, any pain or sensitivity will subside. A week or two following your root canal procedure, a crown is placed on your treated tooth to protect it, prevent its breakage, and to restore its function.
Gentle Dentistry in Valencia, CA
Contact May Conte D.D.S. Cosmetic, Implant, and Family Dentistry. We are committed to providing you with care and service that exceed your expectations. Call us and schedule your appointment today!