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Root Canal Treatment

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Root Canal Treatment in Los Angeles

Lost Angeles residents who need root canal treatment can turn to the experts at West LA Endodontics. Our endodontic dental professionals are ready to help heal your tooth infection, stop your pain, and prevent complications. Give us a call today to see why endodontics, and the team West LA Endodontics, are your best option for root canal treatment.

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is a dental treatment to heal a tooth infection. The treatment removes infected pulp from the inside of your tooth. Infected pulp causes pain and inflammation. Over time it can also cause damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw. An untreated infection can even spread to other parts of your body and can cause you to become ill. A root canal treatment stops the infection and the pain.

Symptoms of needing Root Canal Therapy

In some cases, the first clue you need for root canal therapy might be a discussion with your dentist. In other cases, the symptoms of an infected tooth might prompt you to make an appointment with a dentist and seek out root canal therapy. Symptoms that indicate you might need a root canal include

Tooth Pain

Tooth pain that lasts for more than a day or day is often a sign you should see a dentist. Pain that is deep, throbbing, and that you can also feel in your face, jaw, and surrounding teeth can be a sign you need a root canal.

Pain when you eat

Tooth pain when you eat or press on the top of your tooth can be a sign of an infection that needs root canal treatment.

Swollen gums

If you notice that your gums look puffy or swollen, or if your gums are tender when you touch and brush them, it could indicate an infection.

Sensitivity to temperature

An infection pain in your tooth when you eat or drink food that is either very hot or very cold.

A swollen jaw

Your jaw can swell when you have an infection in your tooth and gums.

A bump that resembles a pimple on your gums

A bump filled with bacteria can grow on your gums when you have an infection. This is a sign of abscess and indicates you need root canal treatment.

A discolored tooth

An infection can change how much blood gets to your tooth. This can make your tooth look darker than normal.

A loose tooth

An infection can weaken and soften the bone that supports your tooth and cause it to become loose in your gum.

A chip or crack in your tooth

Chips and cracks can let bacteria into your tooth and cause infection.

How is a root canal performed?

A root canal is performed in an endodontic office. Once a dentist tells you that you need a root canal, you’ll have digital dental x-rays taken to assess the infection. On the day of your root your canal, your endodontist will take these steps:

1

Numbing your tooth and gums and sedation

Your gums and teeth will be numbed with anesthesia to ensure that you’re not in pain during your root canal therapy. You might have sedation as well. Sedation can help keep you calm and relaxed during the procedure.

2

Placing a rubber barrier

Your infected tooth will be isolated from the surrounding teeth using a small rubber barrier called a dental dam.

3

Creating an access hole

A tiny hole will be made in the top of your infected tooth so that the dentist can remove the pulp.

4

Removing the pulp

The pulp of your tooth will be carefully removed.

5

Cleaning the empty space

Once the pulp has been removed, the dentist will clean out the empty space and disinfect it to ensure all bacteria is completely removed. They’ll then reshape the inside of the tooth so that it can be filled.

6

Filling the empty space

The dentist will fill your tooth with dental cement.

7

Sealing the hole

You’ll have a temporary filling placed on the top of your tooth to seal the tooth and protect the newly placed dental cement.

8

Receiving a crown

This will need to be completed by your general/referring dentist.

DID YOU KNOW

That while most infected teeth are easily identified by the symptoms they cause, some produce no discomfort at all? It is important to visit your dentist regularly for routine exams that may reveal diseased teeth that would otherwise go unnoticed. Failure to treat an infected tooth could result in the death of the tooth and total loss. Worse, the infection can spread to other areas of the body, causing potentially life-threatening conditions.

FAQs

You may need a root canal if tooth decay or a broken tooth has allowed the pulp to become infected and inflamed. Signs and symptoms to watch out for include temperature sensitivity, swelling, drainage, odor, pain, and discoloration of the tooth. It is important to treat infections quickly, as delaying treatment can result in severe tooth pain and abscess.
Your endodontist will numb your tooth with a local anesthetic and administer analgesia if needed. Once the tooth is numb, an opening will be made in the top of your tooth to access the canals. Your endodontist will use tiny instruments to remove pulp from your tooth and prepare it to be filled. You will return at a later date to have your root canal capped with a crown or other type of restoration that will give it the appearance and function of a natural tooth.
You will be allowed to drive yourself home from your root canal visit and may even wish to return to work the same day. However, it is normal for your tooth to be sensitive in the days following your procedure. You’ll need to avoid biting anything with your filled tooth, as this can cause it to break or fracture. So long as the tooth heals normally and you experience no complications, you can return to your endodontist within a month to have a crown or other restoration placed on the tooth.
Your cost for root canal treatment in Los Angeles will depend on several factors such as the exact root canal treatment you need, your insurance, and your specific dental office. We can discuss the cost with you during your initial appointment.
There are several steps in the root canal procedure, and they cannot all be done in a single visit. During your first visit we’ll do an endodontic evaluation. You’ll have x-rays and other screenings to determine the best treatment plan for you. The bulk of your root canal treatment will be done on the second visit. That’s when the pulp will be removed and dental cement will be placed. The third visit is to receive a permanent crown to seal and protect your treated tooth.
Your teeth and gums will be numbed during the root canal treatment, and you won’t be in pain. In fact, many people find that root canals provide immediate pain relief. You might have some pain or discomfort for a few days following your root canal treatment. However, this pain is typically mild and can be managed with over-the-counter medicine.

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