Root Canal Treatment Services
Endodontics is the dental specialty focused on the inside of the tooth,
specifically the pulp — the soft tissue that contains blood vessels,
nerves, and connective tissue. While the pulp plays a vital role in a tooth’s
growth and development, a mature tooth can survive without it.
If the pulp becomes infected, a root canal procedure is required to remove the infection and clean the tooth from within. Without treatment, the infection can cause extensive damage and may eventually require the tooth to be extracted.
Root canals have an outdated reputation for being painful or traumatic, but that is largely a myth. At Dr. Maggie Abadan’s Carmel Valley practice, modern root canal therapy is safe, effective, and comfortable.
Signs of an Infected Tooth
If you experience any of the following symptoms, your dental pulp may be diseased and you may need a root canal:
- Pain
- Persistent sensitivity to hot or cold food/beverages
- Tenderness to touch
- Tenderness while chewing
- Tooth discoloration
- Swelling
- Drainage
- Tenderness in the lymph nodes, nearby bones or gingival tissues
Please note that sometimes infected dental pulp does not produce any symptoms and can only be detected by a dentist during an examination or cleaning. Conversely, experiencing one of the aforementioned symptoms does not automatically mean you need a root canal. Please contact Dr. Abadan’s office at 858-350-7400 if you are experiencing oral discomfort.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
At Gentle Dentistry of Carmel Valley, Dr. Maggie Abadan makes the root canal experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible. After administering a local anesthetic to block any pain, she isolates the affected tooth from the surrounding teeth.
Dr. Abadan then creates a small opening in the tooth’s crown (the visible top portion) and carefully cleans the infected pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals. She also reshapes these areas to prepare them for a secure filling.
Once cleaned and shaped, the root canals are filled with a rubber-like sealing material. A temporary filling may be placed to close the crown opening until the permanent restoration is ready.
To fully protect the treated tooth and restore function, Dr. Abadan will eventually place a permanent crown or similar restoration. In some cases, complete treatment may require several visits to our office for the best results.
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