Root Canal
emergency root canal

An effective way to save your natural teeth!

Root Canal

Root canal treatment is an endodontic treatment. It is performed by our root canal dentist at Dental Oasis, Family Dentistry. Sometimes your tooth’s pulp, which is the tooth’s lifeline that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that feed the tooth’s root and help in its growth & development, may get damaged or infected. The procedure to replace this damaged or infected pulp is known as the root canal treatment or endodontic treatment.

A root canal treatment involves the following:

  • Removing any decay & infection. This involves removing any old fillings, tooth decay, pus & more.
  • Drilling an access into the tooth. The pulp, bacteria, and decayed nerve tissue are thereafter removed from the tooth. The area is cleaned out using a series of root canal files. Post this, water or sodium hypochlorite is sprayed in the area to flush away the debris.
  • Filling the canals. The canals are permanently sealed with long-lasting barrier material so that bacteria cannot affect the canals.
  • To fill the interior of the tooth, sealer pastes and gutta percha are placed into the root canal. A filling will be put in to close the access hole created at the beginning of treatment.
  • Restoration of tooth. Sometimes teeth could have lost a lot of tooth structure. Such teeth may need protection by way of crowns or other materials.

Causes of tooth pulp damage or disease

Causes of tooth pulp damage

Some of the factors that lead to damage of the tooth pulp include:

  • Deep-seated tooth decay
  • Trauma
  • Grinding of teeth or bruxism
  • Cracks in the teeth
  • Gum disease

Symptoms of tooth pulp damage or disease

root canal procedure

Some of the symptoms that appear on damage of the pulp include:

  • Pain in the tooth
  • Sensitivity to hot & cold objects
  • Loosening of tooth
  • Swelling in the gums
  • Facial swelling

However, sometimes symptoms may not show up and the damage to the pulp may be detected during a dental checkup.

Complications of tooth pulp/root canal infection

root canal service

Left untreated, tooth pulp infections can lead to:

  • Spreading of the infection into the pulp chamber. In turn this can lead to an endodontic abscess when it spreads into the surrounding bone.
  • Bone loss in the adjoining area
  • Loss of tooth

Types of Root Canal Treatment

Root Canal procedures can take the following three forms:

Pulpectomy

This involves removing the pulp tissue in the tooth completely both from the crown as well as the roots. The effort however remains to preserve as much as the natural tooth as possible.

Apicoectomy

This is performed on teeth where the original root canal treatment may not have been so successful. In this case, the dentist removes the infected tissue and cleans the entire area. The canal is then filled with Gutta Percha, a rubber-like material that seals your tooth.

Pulpotomy

This is used if on account of a tooth fracture, a part of the healthy pulp is exposed. In this case a special layer of material is placed. This, in turn, helps in the formation of new dentine on the exposed pulp before a filling is placed.

There is also a possibility that if the exposed part of the pulp is infected then that can be removed while the healthy pulp is sealed off and protected.

Aspects to take care of after root canal treatment

Root canal treatment success rates are typically as high as 90-95 percent. Hence you can be sure of having a functional tooth after a root canal treatment.

Because of the local anesthesia your mouth may feel numb for 2-4 hours after the procedure. Any sensitivity or discomfort can be addressed with medications. It is advisable by our root canal dentist to avoid eating anything until the numbness is totally gone.

The aspects to take care of include maintaining good oral hygiene, not consuming too much sugar and regular dental checkups.

Why choose Dental Oasis Family Dentistry for Root Canal Treatment in Pleasanton?

With highly trained endodontists (root canal dentist) and years of experience in offering dental treatments; we ensure that the entire process of diagnosis, pain management, treatment, and aftercare is done seamlessly.

As a busy professional and experienced root canal dentist, Dr. Sharda Patel understands and treats every patient with their unique needs. High quality service, fast yet comprehensive service, flexible scheduling, and your personal comfort are her primary areas of focus! Long lasting patient relationships are the rewards of the Dental Oasis Family Dentistry.

Root Canal Treatment FAQs

1. What is a root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment refers to the natural cavity in the center of the tooth. Within the root canal lies the pulp, which is the lifeline of the tooth. This pulp can often get infected or damaged. During a root canal procedure, the nerve & the pulp are removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned & sealed.

2. How painful is root canal treatment?

While a root canal treatment has the reputation of being painful, the fact is, if it is done right; it is no more painful than having a filling placed in the tooth.

3. What should one expect after the root canal treatment?

For the first few days, post treatment for the tooth may feel sensitive & pain medications may be prescribed. Until the root canal treatment is fully done, chewing on the tooth under repair should be minimized. It is recommended that you brush and floss the tooth regularly. Regular dental checkups are also advised.

4. How successful are root canal treatments?

They are phenomenally successful, with the success rate being as high as 90-95 percent.

5. Is root canal treatment better than tooth extraction?

Saving natural teeth, wherever possible, is always better. A root canal treatment allows you to keep your original tooth. In terms of cost too it is far cheaper as opposed to extraction followed by implant or a bridge.

6. Are root canal treatments common?

Absolutely. They are a common procedure with more than 15 million procedures performed in United States alone, every year.

7. What are the alternatives to a root canal treatment?

When the dental pulp is damaged, cleaning or fillings cannot address the problem. The only option is to remove the pulp via root canal & save the natural tooth. The only alternative to a root canal is the extraction of the tooth. The tooth would then need to be replaced with an implant, a bridge, or a partial denture.

8. How safe is a root canal procedure?

Root canal treatments are extremely safe & effective when performed by a trained endodontic specialist.

9. How many appointments are typically required for a root canal with root canal dentist?

Typically, you may need 1-2 appointments. Once the tooth is numbed, the root canal dentist will drill a hole in the tooth to expose the pulp. The pulp will then be cleaned & the inside of the tooth be coated with an antibiotic. A sealer paste will be used to fill the tooth. You may need a second appointment if permanent filling or a crown is required.

10. How long do teeth fixed with a root canal procedure last?

With proper care, most teeth fixed with a root canal treatment can last a lifetime.

11. Is there anything to do to avoid the need for further root canals?

Yes, of course. Maintaining good oral hygiene, not eating foods high in sugar, visiting your dentist regularly are all steps that you can take to prevent tooth decay. Additionally, in case you pursue any sporting activities that pose the risk of injury to your teeth, the use of a mouth guard is highly recommended.

12. How can I reach you for a root canal procedure?

You can simply fill in this form to schedule an appointment or call us on (925)-846-4491 and our friendly customer support team will guide you.

Book your Root Canal Treatment appointment now!

When you visit our dental office, we review all the available options with you and create a treatment plan which will relieve you from abnormal tooth pain. To restore your dental health or visit a root canal specialist, call us at 925 846 4491 or email us at office@dentaloasispleasanton.com or click on the following button to schedule an appointment with us.

We look forward to caring for your smile!

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