Root Canal Surgery Specialist in Los Angeles, CA

A root canal is a dental procedure that is performed on a single tooth that has developed an infection or abscess within the pulp or nerves of the tooth. It is completed to stop any pain that is being caused by the damage to the tooth and to prevent the damage from worsening while restoring the natural tooth to full, healthy functioning. Infections or abscesses within the teeth develop when the tooth becomes injured, resulting in a significant crack, chip, or fracture that allows for bacteria to enter the pulp of the tooth, or significant decay due to cavities that are left untreated. The process of a root canal includes removing all of the damaged pulp or nerves, cleaning the remaining surfaces to ensure they are free from bacteria and infection, and then filling the space left behind before fitting a crown on top of the tooth for future protection.

Root canals are one of the most commonly performed dental procedures for treating pain in a tooth as it is one of the most effective treatment options to remove all infected tissue to restore the natural tooth.

The process of a root canal is likely to cause some discomfort or pain, so the endodontist will make sure to administer or apply a local anesthetic to the surrounding gums to minimize that pain as much as possible. With the local anesthetic applied, patients should only experience some pressure during the procedure but be in any pain. Once the anesthetic starts to wear off, there will likely be some mild pain and sensitivity, but the endodontist will be prescribed pain medication that can be taken as recommended to make sure that any pain following the procedure is also minimized. The good news is, that once you have healed from the root canal, there will be no pain, including the pain that was experienced before the procedure due to the ongoing infection.

Infections in the tooth that require a root canal for treatment will not be able to dissipate on their own, requiring some sort of removal process to treat the infection and to prevent it from spreading both within the tooth as well as beyond. The pain associated with the infection will continue to worsen, only letting up if the nerves within the tooth die, but the infection will still be present and will continue to spread to the surrounding tissues, to the jaw, the brain, blood, and the rest of the body. Delaying the completion of a root canal can lead to significant bone loss, and can result in an acute abscess that forms pus within the infected area.

If you are recommended to get a root canal done, you are already experiencing significant discomfort or pain that will only worsen and evolve into a more serious condition if delayed. A root canal will likely be the best course of action as soon as possible to prevent the tooth from becoming beyond repair and having to be extracted.

If the tooth is infected beyond repair, an extraction will have to be performed to ensure that the infection is not spreading to any surrounding tissues. However, if the tooth can be saved through a root canal, that will always be the preferred option as the costs will be overall lower, and the patient will experience significantly less discomfort as the healing process from a root canal is much easier than an extraction, and the process will be much faster. As long as the situation allows and the tooth is being treated early enough once the infection first presents itself, the root canal will remain the best option available.

Infected or abscessed teeth may require root canal treatment to relieve pain. The pulp that has become inflamed is removed during the root canal procedure. To seal the space between the tooth and its filling, the inside surfaces are cleaned and disinfected.
 
You need root canal therapy if oral bacteria invade the pulp inside your tooth. Cavities usually develop this way when left untreated for a long time. Additionally, it can occur if you have traumatized or cracked your tooth.
 
Root canals (also called endodontic treatments) are a serious procedure, but they are handled every day by specialists. Whether your dentist or endodontist recommends root canal treatment to treat damaged or diseased teeth, you don’t need to worry. This treatment relieves pain and makes teeth healthy again for millions of people every year.

During root canal treatment, infected or injured tissues (pulp) are removed from the crown and roots of a tooth. As soon as the canal has been cleaned, it is disinfected, shaped, filled, and sealed with a natural rubber-like material known as gutta-percha. In order to prevent further infection, either a temporary or permanent filling is applied to the opening of the tooth. Today, dentists and endodontists are able to complete root canal treatment, even on teeth with very complex anatomy, with the highest level of precision thanks to significant advancements in diagnosis, radiographic imaging, equipment, and techniques.

As you recover from treatment and until your follow-up appointment, your endodontist will provide you with instructions for pain management and how to care for your tooth. It is especially important to follow care guidelines if a temporary filling or crown is in place.
 
If you are numb in your mouth after your procedure, wait until it wears off before eating to avoid biting your cheeks or tongue. To prevent damaging the treated tooth, avoid chewing or biting on it until the dentist has fully restored it. Keeping the area clean and avoiding infection requires daily brushing and flossing.
 
Keep your teeth healthy by brushing, flossing, having regular checkups, and seeing your dentist or endodontist if you experience pain or swelling. Even years after a first procedure, it’s possible for a tooth treated properly to require treatment again, but many teeth can be saved when this happens.

Root canal therapy can sometimes result in an infection persisting or reemerging. It may be necessary to retreat the root canal when this occurs. The infection may not be completely eradicated with that method, so root canal surgery may be necessary. An endodontist performs apical microsurgery (also known as an apicoectomy, a root resection, or a root-end filling) to remove infected or problematic root tips.

Reinfection of a tooth can sometimes be treated with re-treatment (a repeat root canal procedure). In general, these endeavors are more involved and complex than the first time. By removing the crown of the tooth, your general dentist cleans the root canals, addresses canals that were missed or inadequately filled, and permanently closes the tooth. The safety of the tooth may be compromised if retreatment is attempted. It is probably best to save the tooth through endodontic surgery if the risk is considerable.

It is highly important for patients to adhere carefully to their dentist’s aftercare advice to avoid unnecessary infection. Maintaining open communication with your dentist or endodontist is essential when dealing with dental health issues. You and your dentist will identify and implement the best strategy to achieve permanent relief and a healthier, happier smile.

Ace Endodontics can heal your tooth discomfort and save your smile. We are conveniently located at 11980 San Vicente Blvd Ste 900 Los Angeles, CA 90049. For more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Brentwood Park CA, West Hollywood CA, Venice CA, Beverly Hills CA, Santa Monica CA, Culver City CA, and surrounding areas.