Root canals—or endodontic therapy—are a common dental procedure that preserves dying, abscessed, or severely damaged teeth. At Ideal Dentistry in Sacramento, CA, Dr. Adnan Anwar is a highly skilled dentist who offers root canals at our practice, eliminating the need for outside referrals to an endodontic specialist.
A root canal is a procedure that is used to save a tooth with an infected or inflamed nerve tissue inside of it. These tissues are often referred to as the “pulp,” which contains both nerves and blood vessels. When the pulp becomes infected or inflamed, often because of a deep crack or cavity, it can cause severe pain and even lead to the loss of the tooth if left untreated. A root canal removes the infected nerve tissue, involves cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the tooth, and then seals it off to prevent future infections.
Root canals are recommended when the pulp of a tooth becomes infected or inflamed. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as a deep cavity that has gone unaddressed, a crack or chip in the tooth that reaches into the nerve, or physical trauma.
Symptoms of an infected or inflamed pulp may include a severe toothache, sensitivity to hot temperatures, pain when biting down, and sometimes a swollen pimple-like on the gums next to your tooth. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to schedule an appointment with Dr. Adhan as soon as possible. It’s worth noting that not all abscessed teeth will hurt, so the absence of pain may not be a good indication of the severity of your condition.
The root canal treatment process typically takes place over the course of one or two visits. Dr. Anwar will numb the area around the affected tooth and create an opening in the top of the tooth. He will then remove the infected pulp tissue and clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth. Then a special type of filling material is placed down inside the root chambers, filling and sealing off the tooth to prevent reinfection. In most cases, a dental crown will also be placed on the tooth to protect it from wear, as non-vital teeth tend to be more brittle than others. The crown is usually placed about two weeks after the initial root canal.
Root canals are a common dental procedure used to prevent the spread of infection and to save a damaged tooth. While some people may experience discomfort leading up to a root canal, the procedure is designed to alleviate pain by removing the source of infection. Once the nerve is removed, the tooth will no longer be able to feel pain. During your procedure, local anesthesia is usually used to numb the area around the tooth, making the procedure relatively painless. After the procedure, patients may experience some mild discomfort related to the injection site, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication or warm salt water rinse.
At Ideal Dentistry, Dr. Adnan Anwar is committed to providing gentle and compassionate care to all of his patients. He understands that dental procedures can be stressful and will do everything possible to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Dr. Anwar has years of experience and is highly skilled in all aspects of dental treatment, including root canals.
If you are experiencing tooth pain or other symptoms of an abscessed tooth, don't hesitate to contact Ideal Dentistry. Dr. Anwar and his team will work with you to diagnose the problem and provide the appropriate treatment to save your tooth and restore your oral health.
