Save natural teeth with nonsurgical root canal therapy
Summit Dental of La Mesa provides root canal therapy to help patients who suffer from nagging toothaches or have teeth that are sensitive to temperature and are painful when chewing food. Dr. Richard Evans provides nonsurgical endodontic (root canal) treatment to save an infected tooth without extraction.
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is generally performed by an Endodontist and is recommended when the pulp or nerves in your teeth are decayed or damaged.
A tooth consists of a soft tissue inner pulp and the hard-outer white enamel crown. The inner pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective canals extending from the crown to the root of the tooth.
When a tooth is fractured, chipped, or decayed, harmful bacteria can penetrate the inner pulp chamber causing infection and considerable pain inside the tooth. Dentists recommend nonsurgical root canal therapy to remove the source of infection to preserve the tooth.
When is root canal therapy needed?
Root canal therapy is needed to save an infected tooth when symptoms such as acute pain are present when chewing or placing pressure on the infected tooth, considerable sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures, swelling of the gum surrounding the infected tooth.
What to expect in an endodontic treatment
At Summit Dental of La Mesa, CA, Dr. Evans makes sure that root canal therapy is a non-traumatic procedure for patients. Antibiotics and necessary pain medications are prescribed to help patients overcome pain and discomfort before starting on the root canal procedure.
The endodontic treatment procedure consists of two appointments.
- At the first visit, the dentist will numb the infected tooth to provide immediate relief
- The infected blood vessels and nerves are removed using the latest endodontic instruments, and the root canals are sanitized.
- The open tooth chambers are then sealed, and a temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth.
- On your second appointment, the temporary crown is removed, and a durable porcelain crown is placed. Patients can resume their normal lifestyles after the appointment.
Pain-Free Root Canal Therapy
Root canal recovery
Managing your tooth after a root canal treatment is particularly important. Although your restored tooth may not be painful anymore, you may sometimes feel sensitivity for a day or two. It is advisable to refrain from biting on any hard foods and avoid sugary foods for a few days as the healing of the soft tissue continues after the root canal procedure is completed.
It is necessary to practice good hygiene and remember to schedule regular dental checkups to ensure your teeth are healing well and to maintain good oral health at all times.
Your healthy smile is in good hands at Summit Dental of La Mesa, and you are welcome to call us at (619) 494-2492 to learn more and to schedule your consultation.
Root Canal FAQs
What is root canal therapy?
Dr. Richard Evans and his staff at Summit Dental of La Mesa in La Mesa, California, explain root canal therapy to patients who may benefit from it. Root canal therapy sometimes referred to as endodontic therapy, is designed to save a natural tooth from permanent removal. This procedure is commonly recommended when the inner soft tissues of a natural tooth, known as the pulp, become infected or inflamed.
What causes a patient to need root canal therapy?
The most common cause of requiring root canal therapy is an infection in a tooth’s pulp. This is often caused by:
• Deep tooth decay
• Repeated dental procedures on the same tooth
• Chips and cracks in the tooth
• Trauma or injury to the face
These factors typically lead to bacteria entering the pulp and causing an infection to start.
How do I know if I need root canal therapy?
If you have ongoing dental pain, sensitivity to cold or heat, swelling surrounding the affected area, or discoloration, you might have an infection within the natural tooth structure that needs to be treated with root canal therapy. Dr. Richard Evans and his staff at Summit Dental of La Mesa can examine this procedure to determine if it is necessary for your situation.
Is the root canal therapy treatment painful?
Contrary to popular belief, root canal therapy is not painful for our patients. With advancements in technology and anesthesia, patients visiting Summit Dental of La Mesa to treat infection and damage may only feel minor discomfort during the procedure. Many of our local patients feel relieved after receiving root canal therapy, as it alleviates the pain caused by the infected or inflamed pulp.
How long does the root canal therapy procedure require?
The duration of root canal therapy varies significantly depending on the infection’s severity and the specific case’s complexity. The procedure is often completed in one to two visits to our office.
How do I take care of my smile after root canal therapy?
Dr. Richard Evans provides aftercare instructions for patients after their treatment to ensure the procedure is successful in saving the tooth. Most patients will experience minor discomfort from the procedure for a day or two, but many return to work and social activities rather quickly after treatment.
Who can I reach in La Mesa, California, to learn more about root canal therapy?
Our Summit Dental of La Mesa providers understand that you may need more information before undergoing a procedure like root canal therapy. Call (619) 494-2492 to request a visit to our clinic at 8530 La Mesa Boulevard, Suite #204, and learn more about this and other restorative procedures available at our state-of-the-art dental practice for new and established patients.
