Root canal therapy is often an effective way to relieve and even save a damaged tooth and avoid more costly and extensive oral health concerns.

Why A Root Canal Might Be Necessary

When the tooth’s pulp becomes infected due to a deep cavity, trauma to the tooth, a cracked tooth, damaged crown or repeat dental procedures, harmful bacteria can enter the pulp, and it can become damaged or even die. This often causes pain especially while eating, drinking or biting down. Without proper treatment, the tooth cannot heal itself, and the pain persists. More extensive problems including an abscess or bone and tooth loss are even possible.

Root Canal Procedure

A root canal is a dental procedure that typically saves the tooth. With expert dental care, the dead pulp is removed, the area is cleaned and disinfected with precision and the root canal is reshaped. The root canal is then filled with a rubber-like material to prevent recontamination, and the tooth is sealed with a new filling. At a second visit, oftentimes, a crown is placed.

Root canal therapy offers many advantages including:

• Saving the natural tooth
• Allowing for more efficient chewing
• Returning normal bite and chewing sensations
• Providing the mouth with a more natural, attractive appearance
• Protecting surrounding teeth from infection and damage

What to Expect

At the first visit, the patient’s mouth is examined, and the tooth is x-rayed. Anesthetic is then administered to the area being treated to keep the patient comfortable throughout the procedure. Once the tooth and root are numbed, a dental dam is placed to isolate the tooth, keeping it clean and dry for the duration of the root canal procedure. Using precision dental instruments, a dentist will then make a small incision in the crown of the tooth and clean the damaged pulp from the pulp chamber and disinfect the area, followed by the reshaping of the root canal. Once the root canal is fully prepared, a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha is placed with an adhesive in order to fully seal the root canal and prevent the reintroduction of any bacteria. The tooth is then sealed with a filling.

At a follow up visit, the tooth is examined to ensure the root canal was effective, and a crown is placed to restore the tooth to full functionality.

While completing a root canal procedure, the Oso Marguerite Dental Team in Mission Viejo keeps patients comfortable using the latest dental technology and modern anesthetics to numb the area or offer sedation. After the procedure, many report slight sensitivity that is typically relieved using over the counter pain relief medications such as Tylenol. Until a crown is placed, it is best to avoid biting or chewing on that tooth as it is susceptible to fracture and further damage. Once the permanent crown is placed, a patient can resume their normal routine.

Root canals can help patients to save damaged teeth, regain full functioning of the mouth and retain a more beautiful smile. In most cases, they are quite effective, offering many benefits and a significant cost savings versus other, more extensive treatment options.

Root Canal Treatment Mission Viejo, CA

Root canal treatment involves removing the infected dental pulp of a tooth, cleaning the tooth and placing a filling to prevent further infection. Root canals are a service offered at OSO Marguerite Dental Care.

While teeth can seem invincible pearly whites that break down food and help make a great smile, they have layers and can weaken over time. Without proper care, a tooth can sustain enough damage to expose the inner layer, known as the dental pulp. Infected dental pulp will cause varying levels of pain when eating, speaking, or at any time of day. Fortunately, we can help.

We can use root canal treatment to help remove the infected dental pulp, preventing the spread of the infection to other teeth and helping to relieve pain. This procedure will also help to protect the tooth from further infection. Root canal procedures may be the sturdy and lasting solution to an infected tooth.

If you notice pain or sensitivity in a tooth, call us and schedule an appointment to see if root canal treatment can help.

Why do most people need a root canal?
When a tooth becomes infected, that infection can spread into the center of the tooth. This area is called the dental pulp. Inside of the dental pulp is the nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. All of the sensitive areas of the tooth are contained here. As such, when the area becomes infected it can be incredibly painful, requiring immediate treatment. We can perform a root canal quickly on people living in and around the Mission Viejo area.

How does the treatment work?
A root canal endodontic procedure works by creating a small hole in the tooth so that all of the infected areas can be removed. The dental pulp is removed, and oftentimes so are the roots. You only need your tooth roots to feel sensations like hot and cold and for the tooth to grow in. Once it has fully matured, removing the roots will not directly harm the tooth. It can, however, prevent the further spread of infection so when it is necessary to remove the roots; we promptly do so. Once done, we will clean the area to ensure that the infection is gone. We will typically prescribe antibiotics, as well. This ensures that any lingering infection is eliminated.

In order to complete the root canal, we will seal up the hole and area where the dental pulp used to be. This is typically done with something called gutta-percha. This is a rubber-like substance that can help to stabilize the tooth now that a portion is missing. At Mission Viejo Dental Care, we will then use a filling or crown in order to further strengthen and protect the damaged tooth. Both fillings and crowns can now be created in a tooth color. This means that regardless of where your infected tooth is located, a crown can be used, and it will blend in seamlessly with the surrounding teeth. Patients throughout the Mission Viejo area appreciate how natural their tooth looks once the procedure is complete.

Mission Viejo Dental Clinic, California Root Canal Treatment
Why should I have a root canal endodontics treatment?
If you live in Mission Viejo, CA you should schedule an appointment with us to discuss the health of your teeth, any problems that you may be having, and what should be done to heal and protect the tooth. If it appears that a root canal is the best option, we will make this recommendation. If not, we will present a treatment solution that will solve your health issue. Overall, a root canal endodontics treatment is extremely effective for saving damaged teeth by removing any infection that may be there. This single treatment makes it possible for millions of teeth to be saved on an annual basis and once it is completed; eating and drinking becomes easy again.

What about discomfort?
We work to help patients feel comfortable during their root canal endodontics procedure by using sedation dentistry. We have a variety of ways that we can eliminate both discomfort and anxiety during a root canal. Whether a patient needs to take something ahead of time to relax or medication to numb the specific area that is being worked on, we can provide painless dentistry and help patients enjoy their dental treatments.

What are the advantages of this procedure?
In the past, many people would need to have their teeth pulled if they became severely infected or the dental pulp became inflamed. Now, those same teeth can be saved by performing a root canal. This is a far better option because it keeps the natural tooth in place. This is important for the shape of the face because as teeth fall out the muscles in the face can start to sag. While this is not particularly common with the loss of one tooth, it is when several become infected and fall out. By treating and saving an infected tooth, we are helping to preserve our patient’s facial structure.

Another benefit is that once the root canal has been completed, and the filling or crown is in place; it is possible to eat like normal and without restrictions. Once the infection is gone, and the tooth is strengthened, it will behave like it used to. That makes it possible to bite down with normal force, chew, and maintain normal activities without worrying about the tooth. This helps patients throughout Mission Viejo get back to their busy schedules.

A restored tooth will look completely natural if a tooth-colored crown or filling is used to restore it. Crowns can be created in the exact shade of the surrounding teeth so that it blend in perfectly. This way no one will know that you ever had a procedure completed. If you had a root canal done previously, you may want to have the filling or crown around it replaced with today’s version for an improved appearance.

Alternatively, if don’t have a root canal endodontics procedure completed, the infected tooth will likely need to be pulled. This is essential for preventing the spread of infection. Once the tooth is removed it will need to be replaced. The options for doing so involve wearing a denture, getting a dental bridge, or having dental implants installed. These are all viable solutions but take additional time, and the recovery period is longer since the procedures will take several steps. Therefore, one possible solution is for us to attempt to save your tooth by performing a root canal endodontics procedure.

The Problem with Your Toothache
Lingering tooth sensitivity after eating or drinking something hot or cold? Sharp pain when biting or chewing? A toothache is almost always a sign that infection has damaged the pulp within your tooth root. This can be the result of a severe tooth crack or fracture, injury to a tooth, or extensive tooth decay that has reached the inside of the tooth. Without treatment, the infection will continue to cause tooth pain, can lead to a tooth abscess, and in the worst cases will require the tooth to be extracted altogether. If you’re experiencing any noticeable symptoms, especially a severe toothache, we have a solution!

Root Canals Remedy Deep Dental Issues
Our dentist at Mission Viejo Dentistry is trained and experienced in providing endodontic treatment including root canals in Mission Viejo, CA. Root canals treat and remove the dangerous infection and inflammation inside your tooth before it can spread. Don’t let the stigma surrounding this procedure cause you apprehension or lead you to put off your treatment. When we offer root canals in Mission Viejo, CA they’re designed to comfortably eliminate your tooth pain (not cause more) and ultimately save your natural tooth! We partner with leading insurance companies to ensure your entire treatment process is painless and easy.

Pain-Relieving Endodontic Treatments
Root Canals
Root canal therapy in Mission Viejo, CA involves removing a portion of the tooth crown to gain access to the pulp chamber and clear out all the infection, bacteria, and damaged pulp and tissues. Disinfecting and cleaning the canals is the next step before filling them with a hardening material called gutta-percha. The tooth will then be sealed to keep bacteria from entering the chamber and root canal and covered with a dental crown to ensure it remains strong and functional after treatment.

Benefiting from Root Canal Therapy
Once your endodontic procedure at Harmony Dentistry is complete, you’ll be able to live a comfortable and functional life again without any tooth pain. We’ll provide the necessary instructions to ensure your recovery is fast and healthy. In general, you can expect the following benefits from treatment:

Preserved natural tooth
Resolved toothache
Restored tooth function
Improved smile aesthetics

Root Canal in Mission Viejo
The sooner you take action to stop tooth decay, the better. Routine dental visits and a healthy oral hygiene routine are key, but sometimes infections still happen. When decay or bacteria get into the soft inner part of the tooth, it is time for a root canal in Mission Viejo. And don’t worry, at Mission Viejo Dental Specialist, this procedure is fast, comfortable, and keeps your smile healthy.

Don’t let tooth decay threaten your smile! Contact Mission Viejo Dental Specialist today to sign up for a root canal and get your health back on track. Our specialists use state-of-the-art methods and treatments to protect your oral health and keep your smile bright.

First, we evaluate your tooth and see what the cause of your symptoms is. If it is indeed an infection, we can schedule you for a root canal, sometimes even on the same day in time-sensitive cases. We start the procedure by ensuring you are comfortable with local anesthesia to numb the treatment area. Only once you are fully comfortable and relaxed do we start the treatment.

The main part of the procedure consists of two parts: cleaning and sealing. First we clean out the infected pulp of the tooth, removing any material that could allow the infection to continue or spread. Once the interior of your tooth is entirely sanitary, we seal it off to prevent any new bacteria from getting into the canal. That really is about all there is to it, just a few steps and you will have almost immediate relief from your symptoms.

Do I Need a Root Canal?
If you have an infected tooth, it is high time for a root canal, otherwise, you put yourself at risk. Postponing dental treatment not only can lead to worse pain and other symptoms, but it can result in your tooth dying. And a dead tooth will usually fall out eventually. Replacing a tooth is usually much more expensive and involves than treating it early on.

Symptoms of an Infected Tooth
Significant pain when biting down or eating
The appearance of pimples on gums
Cracks in your tooth (or chips in the tooth)
Increased sensitivity to temperatures that linger
Swollen, discolored, or tender/painful gums
If you have noticed any of these, we recommend calling Mission Viejo Dental Specialist today to get your appointment locked in. With a quick root canal, you can eliminate all these symptoms safely and effectively.

Can I Postpone Treatment?
If you have any of the symptoms we covered, waiting is generally a bad idea. You might notice a sudden lessening of pain, but that might only mean the infection has killed the nerves in your tooth. The infection is still there, but your tooth simply cannot feel it anymore! Waiting to treat an infected tooth can lead to the infection spreading to other teeth or even other parts of your body. Instead, give us a call and we can take care of it for you in no time!

Is a Root Canal Painful?
We take every step to ensure that our patients are comfortable no matter what procedure we perform. From routine fillings to dental implant surgery, our goal is to provide a pleasant and beneficial experience on all fronts. While root canals might once have been unpleasant years ago, modern dental methods have made this a comfortable routine procedure. Most of our patients in Mission Viejo say their root canal was no more uncomfortable than a simple dental filling.

We thoroughly numb the treatment area to keep you relaxed and comfortable from start to finish for your root canal. After a root canal, patients may feel some soreness around the treated tooth for about a day. However, this is usually quite mild and can be managed quite easily with even over-the-counter pain medication.

Schedule Your Appointment Today
Stop tooth infections in their tracks with a root canal in Mission Viejo today. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, we even offer same-day emergency visits to take care of your situation! Call Mission Viejo Dentist today to take control of your dental health and keep your teeth safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the benefit of a root canal rather than just extraction of the tooth?

  The single biggest advantage a root canal offers is it allows you to keep your natural tooth. While modern tooth replacements (dental implants) are attractive and effective, they cannot compare to your own tooth. In most cases, a root canal is also a more cost-effective option than an extraction, saving you time and money in the dental chair.

• Will a root canal hurt?

  Oso Marguerite Dental’s number one goal is to keep our patients comfortable while performing necessary procedures that benefit the health of their mouth. During a root canal, we use modern techniques and local anesthesia to minimize any uncomfortable feelings. We also take the time to fully discuss the procedure in advance and answer any questions, helping you to feel more comfortable with your choice.

• Can I expect any sensitivity after my root canal procedure?

  Mild to moderate sensitivity to hot and cold as well as some pressure are common following a root canal procedure. These sensations typically last only a few days, and they can be relieved with over the counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen. If you are wearing a temporary crown following your root canal treatment, chewing on the opposite side of the mouth can help to prevent any feelings of discomfort until the permanent crown is placed.

• How do I know if I need a root canal?

  If you have lingering sensitivity to hot and cold, persistent tooth pain or discomfort that wakes you up at night, a root canal might be the right choice. To know for sure, call and schedule an evaluation with Oso Marguerite Dental.