Root Canal Therapy Process

An infected tooth is considered a dental emergency, as is a severely broken one. In either case, surgery is likely needed. This is because the inside of the tooth, or the pulp, has been affected. The pulp consists of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. Our dentist in Orange County can perform a root canal treatment to will restore the tooth back to health.

Many believe that a root canal therapy is very painful, but this is actually not the case. This treatment is meant to alleviate pain caused by infection and damage. And thanks to local anesthesia, patients do not feel anything at all. Our root canal dentist in Orange County will create a hole in the tooth with a drill. They can then access the pulp in order to remove the decayed tissue. Removing any and all of the decayed tissue is removed, as this is the only way the infection will be completely remedied.

After this is completed, the pulp will be replaced with a packing material called gutta percha. The tooth will then be capped with a dental crown. This will restore strength and protect it from further damage. Sometimes, root canal retreatment is necessary, to remove missed decayed tissue.

What to Expect from Emergency Root Canal Cases

Most root canals are not emergencies, but if a tooth is cracked, broken, badly decayed, or otherwise damaged all the way to the pulp of the tooth, it will need a root canal as soon as possible. Getting hurt during a basketball game or car accident, suffering a blow to the face, or falling can all lead to this type of dental damage. Our Los Angeles emergency dentists can help.

When a tooth is this severely damaged, an infection can develop quickly, so it is important that you seek help as soon as possible. We will evaluate the tooth and determine the best treatment to stabilize your dental health. An emergency root canal is not necessarily different from any other root canal. We will numb the tooth and the area surrounding the tooth for your comfort. The injured or diseased pulp will then be removed. The root canals will be cleaned, shaped, and then sealed to protect them from re-infection.

You may experience some tenderness after the root canal until the inflammation is completely gone. We may prescribe antibiotics or medication to help relieve the pain and manage any infection. After the root canal, you will need to schedule an appointment to have the tooth restored permanently so that it will continue to function healthfully. Call our expert in emergency root canal in LA to learn more.

Taking Care of Teeth After Root Canal

A root canal treatment removes diseased tissue from the inner canals of the tooth. After the treatment, our expert in endodontics in LA will explain the best way to take care of your treated tooth. Proper aftercare is important because it will promote healing and reduce the risk of complications.

You may have some lingering soreness and sensitivity. This is normal, since it can take some time for the inflammation to fully subside. You can use warm salt water rinses a few times a day to address pain and swelling. Pain medication can also be helpful for some patients.

Brushing and flossing will continue to be important. You need to remove the plaque from your teeth daily to prevent decay and reinfection, as well as to keep the rest of your mouth healthy. An antimicrobial mouthwash can also be beneficial.

Avoid any foods that are hard or particularly sticky, since these can damage a temporary restoration. If you grind your teeth at night, you will need to wear a night guard to reduce the risk of damage to your teeth. Schedule a follow-up appointment to have your permanent restoration completed. Call our root canal dentist in LA today to learn more.

Can a Tooth Get Infected after Root Canal?

Although uncommon, infections can occur in teeth after root canal therapy. This may happen due to new physical trauma, tooth decay, or errors in the original root canal treatment. Here is more about causes of post-root canal infection and how to minimize risk.

Root Canal Errors That Can Cause Re-Infection

Failure to remove all parts of an infection or seal out bacteria during a root canal can allow re-infection to result later. If all infected tissues are not removed, due to either practitioner error or unusually complex tooth anatomy, the infection is not eliminated in the first place. Alternatively, infection may later develop if the crown is placed late or if the filling allows saliva to seep into the tooth.

How to Reduce Risk of Infection After Root Canal

Damaged or decayed teeth can lead to new infections in treated teeth, so steps that reduce these risks are beneficial. Avoid chewing hard foods, use good oral hygiene, limit intake of sugary foods, and visit our endodontist regularly for check-ups.

A root canal infection can happen under certain conditions, making retreatment essential for saving the tooth. You can learn more about avoiding infections after root canal by scheduling a consultation with our endodontist.

When is Getting a Root Canal the Best Option?

Root canal therapies are considered one of the most feared treatments in dentistry, thought of as extremely painful. The truth is that the purpose of root canal therapies is to relieve the pain caused by infected teeth. If a tooth is not cleaned well enough, decay can develop and grow to reach the center of the tooth, where the pulp resides, causing inflammation or infection. Patients experiencing this issue will learn that root canal therapy is the best option for restoring the functionality of the tooth and eliminating pain.

Our Los Angeles endodontics expert will begin the process by administering a local anesthetic to the affected area. They will then create a hole in the tooth and use special tools to remove the infected and inflamed pulp. Once removed, the pulp will be replaced with a dental material called “gutta percha”. The tooth is then capped with a crown to restore its strength and functionality.

Our expert in root canal treatment in Los Angeles may also recommend the treatment if repeated dental procedures have affected the tooth, or the pulp has been damaged by a break or chip. You can learn more about root canal treatment by visiting our endodontist in Los Angeles.