A root canal is a restorative dental procedure that saves millions of teeth from inflammation and infection each year. Root canal treatment involves removing the damaged pulp and nerves from inside the tooth to eliminate bacteria and prevent the infection from spreading. If you have an infected tooth, root canal treatment may be able to save it.
Root canal treatment is available at Oak Tree Dental in Poway and the surrounding area. This procedure can relieve dental pain and save your tooth. Call us at (858) 748-2101 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment today.
The purpose of root canals
Patients may need a root canal if they have severe tooth decay. Untreated decay can spread into the tooth pulp, triggering a painful infection.
Symptoms can include:
- Tooth pain
- Fever or facial swelling
- Cracked, broken, or discolored teeth
- Discolored gums
During a root canal, the dentist drills away decay. They also use small instruments to scoop out infected or inflamed pulp from within the tooth. Then, the dentist cleans and shapes the inside of the tooth.
After the root canal is complete, the dentist fills the tooth with a biocompatible material. Finally, the dentist places a small cap over the tooth. This covering is known as a crown. Crowns protect a fragile or damaged tooth from breakage.
“Patients may need a root canal if they have severe tooth decay.”
Benefits of root canals
Root canals can help patients avoid tooth extraction. During a root canal, a dentist works to restore a decayed or damaged tooth. This treatment can preserve smiles, prevent future decay, and strengthen damaged teeth.
Preserving a patient’s smile
Extractions can leave gaps in the patient's smile. Many patients feel self-conscious about their appearance after having a tooth pulled. Root canals boost the patient's confidence and enhance their appearance.
Preventing future decay
During a root canal, the provider removes all decay and infection. They clean the inside of the tooth to prevent the infection from returning. Without a root canal, decay can spread throughout the patient's mouth.
Strengthening a damaged tooth
Decayed teeth are vulnerable to breakage and injury. As part of a root canal procedure, the provider attaches a crown. This tooth-colored cap protects and supports the tooth.
“Without a root canal, decay can spread throughout the patient’s mouth.”
The root canal process and potential complications
According to Healthline, root canal treatment typically involves four steps. First, we will take an X-ray of the infected tooth and numb the treatment site. Next, we will place a dental dam, or small protective sheet, over the area to protect the spot from saliva and bacteria during the procedure. Then we will make a small incision near the tooth's crown to expose the infected pulp before removing the infected tissue and cleaning out the pathways. Once the canals are clean, we may apply a topical antibiotic to kill any remaining infection. Once the tooth is filled and sealed, we will place a crown or other restoration to protect the tooth and restore its functionality.
As with any semi-invasive procedure, root canal treatment is not without its risks. In some cases, the damage is too extensive for treatment to be viable. If root canal treatment occurs in this situation, it could result in tooth loss. Though rare, root canal treatment can also result in abscesses. This typically only occurs if the improper infected pulp removal occurs or if the antibiotics are ineffective. Although there is a risk for potential complications, root canal treatments are generally safe and effective, with a success rate between 86-98%.
“Although there is a risk for potential complications, root canal treatments are generally safe and effective, with a success rate between 86-98%.”
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Although root canals are effective procedures to restore infected or damaged teeth, it is best to avoid the need for a root canal in the first place. Preventing the need for root canal treatment is simple, maintain a good oral hygiene routine. Since root canals are often necessary due to tooth decay, people can help prevent this by brushing twice and flossing once every day.
It is also essential to attend regular dental appointments and seek dental attention as soon as possible when pain or discomfort arises. People can also take certain actions to avoid tooth damage than can necessitate root canal treatment. This includes avoiding acidic foods and beverages, not chewing on ice, and wearing a mouthguard while playing sports and at night if teeth grinding occurs.
“Although root canals are effective procedures to restore infected or damaged teeth, it is best to avoid the need for a root canal in the first place.”
Questions answered on this page
Q. What happens during root canal treatment?
Q. How can someone prevent the need for a root canal?
Q. What are the benefits of a root canal?
Q. What are some alternatives to a root canal?
People also ask
Q. Is increased sensitivity to temperature a sign that endodontic surgery is necessary?
Q. What is the difference between endodontists and dentists?
Q. Are root canals a safe and common procedure?
Root canal alternatives
Sometimes, the dental team may recommend an extraction. During an extraction, the provider removes the entire tooth. Extractions can resolve deep infections by removing the affected tooth. However, tooth loss can lead to future dental problems. It is better to avoid extraction whenever possible.
“Extractions can resolve deep infections by removing the affected tooth.”
Frequently asked questions
Root canals can remove infected or inflamed pulp. Pulp is a soft tissue that helps keep the tooth anchored within the mouth. It supplies blood flow and connects the tooth to nerve endings. During a root canal, a dental provider cleans out the pulp and fills the tooth. They also place a crown on the tooth to protect it from future damage.
Root canals are a good option for most patients since they preserve the natural tooth. Patients who keep their natural teeth may avoid future dental problems. Preserving the teeth prevents jawbone loss, spacing issues, and jaw misalignment.
However, a root canal is not right for everyone. If the tooth becomes severely damaged, the dentist may opt for extraction instead. During an extraction, the dentist removes the entire tooth. He or she can then prepare a false tooth to fill the gap.
Modern root canals using numbing medications to prevent discomfort. Some patients may experience soreness after their root canal. However, these side effects usually disappear within a few days.
Costs can vary depending on insurance coverage. As a rule, root canals carry a higher price tag than extraction. However, root canals preserve the tooth and may help prevent the need for future dental care. Our office team can help you compare treatment costs.
In some cases, however, the provider may opt to perform a baby root canal. These procedures are similar to an adult root canal. Baby root canals preserve the tooth while preventing the infection from spreading.
Endodontic terminology
Dental pulp is the inner-most layer of the tooth with connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerve tissue.
Dentin is the inner layer of the tooth structure that is immediately under the enamel and surrounds the dental pulp.
A direct pulp cap is a procedure in which a professional treats exposed pulp with a therapeutic material to help the tooth heal.
The enamel is the hard calcified layer that covers the entire tooth and is subject to interaction with multiple substances.
An endodontist is a specialist who focuses on treating issues, diseases and conditions that affect the inner-most layer of the tooth, the dental pulp.
A pulpectomy is a procedure that involves the complete removal of pulp tissue from the root canal in a tooth.
Call us today
If your tooth is injured or infected, do not hesitate to seek treatment. Our team at Oak Tree Dental can help save your tooth. Call us today at 858-748-2101 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Individual results vary. How long a treatment lasts, and how it looks and feels, depends on each patient.