Root canal therapy is a commonly performed dental treatment that is used to treat infection or swelling of the pulp tissues inside a tooth. A tooth’s pulp is the blood vessels and nerves in its innermost layer called the pulp chamber. It is sealed off from the rest of a tooth to protect its sensitive contents from irritants in the mouth like bacteria and saliva.
Dentists typically recommend root canal therapy as a last resort for patients who have teeth with compromised pulp chambers. The procedure has a poor reputation as one of the most painful procedures done by dentists, but that could not be further from the truth since local anesthetics are used to numb the area being worked on during the procedure. Most patients do not feel significant pain during root canals, and the tooth pain that brings people to the clinic is typically gone once the procedure is completed.
Some of the reasons why a patient might need a root canal to save a tooth include:
Tooth decay is one of the leading reasons people seek dental care, and it does not go away until the issue is addressed. Tooth decay occurs in multiple stages, starting with a demineralization stage that can be reversed with fluoride treatments and ending with the destruction of a tooth.
Root canals are typically recommended as a treatment for tooth decay when the decay is so severe that it opens up the pulp chamber, exposing the soft tissues in it to irritants in the mouth. During the procedure, the decayed parts of the tooth are removed as well as the tissues in the pulp chamber. Medication is inserted into the chamber before sealing it off with gutta-percha.
A tooth infection is another common reason why a dentist might recommend endodontic therapy. Tooth infections typically develop after a tooth’s pulp chamber has been opened up by decay or damage. Bacteria make their way into the pulp chamber, infecting the tissues there.
This often leads to some of the worst toothaches imaginable that make it impossible to concentrate on anything or get any sleep at night. Root canals stop tooth infections in their tracks and help to avoid having to extract the tooth to stop the infection from spreading to areas where it can be life-threatening.
A tooth’s pulp chamber can be opened up by trauma caused by accidents, hard contact, or slips. Any damage that leaves the pulp chamber open is classified as a dental emergency, and it requires endodontic therapy to save the tooth and prevent infection.
A tooth infection sometimes spreads beyond the pulp into the soft and bone tissues surrounding a tooth’s root. An infection in these areas is called an abscess, which often requires root canal therapy along with other treatments to rectify.
Root canals bring an end to some of the worst toothaches you can imagine while helping to save damaged teeth. Call or visit our Playa Vista clinic to find out if you need the procedure performed on one of your teeth.
Request an appointment here: https://www.playavistadentalcare.com or call Playa Vista Dental Care at (310) 589-3146 for an appointment in our Playa Vista office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal Treatment in Playa Vista, CA.
A root canal is a treatment that can keep your tooth intact. The dentist will assess your tooth and ask you about your symptoms. But knowing if you need this treatment can tell you if you need to see your dentist for this procedure soon. Here are the common signs you need a root canal…
The term root canal treatment refers to the inner chamber between the tooth roots and the pulp, and also to the dental treatment for removing infected pulp material. Tooth infections can cause severe tooth pain and often necessitate tooth extraction. With root canal treatment, a dentist may be able to save the tooth and alleviate…
Your dentist may recommend root canal therapy if you have severe tooth damage or deep dental decay. When performed, it is often a necessary step to save the tooth from falling out or to prevent the infection from spreading. There are certain symptoms that may suggest root canal therapy is necessary, and it is helpful…
Preventative dentistry is a branch that focuses primarily on keeping dental issues at bay. Preventing dental issues is cheaper than treating them, and you do not have to deal with the pain and discomfort that comes with oral problems when you stop them from developing in the first place.Preventive dentistry starts with educating patients about…
Periodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on studying, diagnosing, and treating issues that affect the gums and the bone structures that support teeth. Periodontal disease is the leading dental problem that periodontics focuses on.Periodontal disease is an infection of gum tissues caused by the bacteria in plaque and tartar getting below the gum…
If you have recently gotten braces from the family dentist, you will probably be aware of the hassles of cleaning them. The braces’ brackets are bonded to the tooth’s surface, limiting the reach of the toothbrush and making it harder to clean the teeth thoroughly. Nevertheless, you still need to keep the braces as it…