Sep
Many people have the misguided notion that root canals are complex and painful treatments. Nothing could be further from the truth! This procedure is safe and pain-free, but dentists use it often to save severely decayed, damaged, or infected teeth to avoid having them removed. If you’re anxious about having a root canal, knowing more about this treatment can help put you at ease.Â
Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos from All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, California, cover the basic steps to completing professional root canal treatment here to give you a better idea of what to expect from this restorative dental procedure.Â
Dr. Boulos will start with a thorough dental evaluation to determine if a root canal is needed. We’ll examine your tooth and surrounding gum tissues, review your symptoms, and take x-rays to diagnose your condition. If infection or decay has damaged your tooth’s pulp (inner chamber), a root canal may be the only way to save your tooth and restore its usefulness. The pulp of your tooth contains its connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. A root canal entails removing the infected pulp to salvage your tooth.
As a root canal is an invasive treatment, we’ll use local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during your procedure. Sedation is also available to help you fully relax for this treatment.
Dr. Boulos must create an opening in your tooth to access the pulp. We’ll drill a small hole in your tooth and carefully remove the pulp and all diseased tissues within. Removing the pulp will stop the infection and end your pain.
Once the pulp is removed, Dr. Boulos will cleanse and disinfect your tooth and its canals to ensure no infection remains. After flushing out any remaining bacteria, we’ll dry the area and prepare your tooth for sealing.
Sealing your tooth is essential to restoring its usefulness. We’ll reshape your tooth chamber and canals and fill them with gutta-percha material, which is a special filling that protects your tooth from bacterial infection in the future.
The damage caused by pulpal tooth infections can weaken your tooth structure, making it susceptible to fracturing with continued use. This can be averted by covering your tooth with a dental crown. A crown will strengthen your tooth’s fragile structure to make it fully functional again. It can also prolong your tooth’s lifespan to maintain the integrity of your smile.
For safe and effective professional root canal treatment in Pacific Beach, CA, come to All Coast Dental. We’re here to meet all your restorative dental needs. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Julie or Joseph Boulos, contact us at (858) 264-3002.Â