Root canal treatment enables dentists to save infected, damaged, or decayed teeth. The procedure has a reputation as being painful, but this is far from the truth. Root canals were probably painful before the invention of local anesthetics, but now that is no longer the case. Local anesthetics are used during a root canal treatment, so patients do not feel significant pain as the dentist works on their tooth.
Root canal therapy is usually suggested when a tooth’s pulp chamber has been damaged. The pulp chamber houses soft tissues like blood vessels and nerves, and it is sealed off from the rest of the tooth. Injury to a tooth can open this area, leaving these soft tissues susceptible to the bacteria and acids in the mouth. The risk of infection also goes up dramatically when a tooth’s pulp chamber is damaged.
Restoring a tooth with root canal therapy starts with the dentist evaluating the patient to see if it is the correct course of action. A visual examination is often performed, and diagnostics like X-rays might be used to assess what is going on inside a tooth.
Once it has been determined that root canal therapy is the appropriate treatment for the patient, the dentist will start the procedure by injecting the patient with a local anesthetic. This numbs the area being worked on so the patient does not feel pain as the dentist works. They will only feel the force of the dentist pushing and drilling into the tooth.
A dental drill is used to make a hole into the pulp chamber so the dentist can extract the soft tissue there with dental files. Medication might be inserted into the pulp chamber once the area has been thoroughly cleaned.
Depending on the severity of the infection in the tooth, the dentist might opt to reseal the tooth immediately or cover it with a temporary filling so they can insert another round of medication into the tooth in a week.
If the dentist thinks that one round of medication is enough for the tooth, a rubbery material called gutta-percha is used to close the tooth. The tooth can then be rebuilt using composite bonding, or a crown might be placed on it to complete the process.
There is no recovery period after having a root canal. The pain that brought the patient to the clinic is typically gone by the time the procedure is over. After getting a root canal, some patients might experience minor discomfort for the first few days. Over-the-counter medication can be used to address it. Patients are free to return to their regular routine after root canal therapy. Teeth repaired with root canal therapy will not be as strong as they once were, which is why dentists often recommend covering them with crowns to protect them against bite forces.
Root canal therapy can save your severely damaged or infected tooth. Call or stop by our San Jose clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.ddsbaik.com or call Dennis Baik, DDS at (408) 676-5321 for an appointment in our San Jose office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal Treatment in San Jose, CA.
Dentists use root canals to save teeth that are badly infected. Sometimes, due to damage or decay, the inner part of the tooth becomes infected. However, the tooth may not have to be pulled, thanks to the root canal procedure. This article takes a closer look at this common treatment and three main signs you…
Even if you are not currently feeling any tooth pain, the dentist might recommend a root canal. Sometimes, tooth infections are painless and can spread slowly through the tooth. To stop the infection and save the tooth from extraction, the dentist may recommend a root canal treatment. The objective is to prolong the lifespan of…
If you are looking for a dentist or periodontic office to treat your gums, we recommend that you give our office a call. We offer periodontal care in our San Jose dental office and can help to prevent gum disease and treat the condition if it develops. While many people are not aware of gum…
If you think you may need a root canal, you should visit our San Jose dental office immediately for treatment. Root canal treatment is essential to your oral health and can save your tooth. Contrary to popular belief, a root canal is nothing to fear, but rather a simple, discomfort-free treatment that can save the…
If you have a broken tooth, a dental veneer can restore it effectively. Veneers are thin shells that a dentist can bond to the front of your tooth. This tooth restoration method can bring back the appearance of your natural tooth. A dental veneer can be made of either resin or porcelain. If you want…
A full mouth reconstruction may be life-changing for patients who have low self-esteem due to their smiles. Many patients first come into the office because they are embarrassed about their teeth or how their smile looks. We recognize that it takes a lot of thought and bravery to step through our doors, and we want…