Root Canals Specialist

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a type of dental therapy in which your dentist at Willow Glen Dental Center removes infected or dead tissue from your tooth so that the healthy part can be saved. Dentists say that preserving a tooth is always better than extracting it if you have the choice, and that's exactly what a root canal can do.

What are the signs I need a root canal?

The main sign that you may need a root canal is pain. Your pain may only happen at certain times, like when you're biting down or when you're drinking a hot or cold beverage, but it could eventually grow near-constant.

Other signs that you may need a root canal can include:

• Bad breath
  
• Red gums
  
• Puffiness or swelling around the affected tooth
  
• A bump in your gums around the tooth
  
• Darkening of the tooth
  

Sometimes, there are no obvious symptoms that your tooth is damaged. Even if you don't have obvious symptoms, your dentist can identify the problem during a regular checkup.

It's important to have your exams on the schedule recommended by your dentist so you can learn about problems requiring a root canal and get treatment before major dental problems arise. If you don’t get a root canal on a tooth that needs one, you could eventually lose the tooth.

How does the dentist perform a root canal?

Usually, your root canal takes two visits to Willow Glen Dental Center. Your dentist numbs the treatment area thoroughly, so you won't feel pain during your root canal.

After making a small hole in the affected tooth, your dentist removes the infected tooth pulp and then cleans the tooth thoroughly. Then, your dentist places a temporary crown or filling to protect your tooth until your custom crown is ready.

Your dentist makes a mold of your tooth, so your crown is sized to fit over the tooth. The crown is typically custom-made in a laboratory, so you'll return when it's complete. Your dentist attaches the crown permanently, and you can use the tooth as-normal after that.

After a root canal, you won't have any pain or sensitivity in the treated tooth. In fact, the tooth will be stronger than ever with its porcelain crown.

If you suspect that you could need a root canal, don’t keep wondering and worrying – reach out to the expert dentistry team at Willow Glen Dental Center. Call the office or use the online scheduler today.