“I’ve been a client of Dr Chen’s for a few years now, and highly recommend him. Beyond the great regular cleanings I’m getting at their beautiful offices, I had a root canal that had to be retreated. Through the whole process, the follow up from Dr Chen has just been fantastic. He proactively called me on a regular basis until my issues were resolved. I wish you got that kind of customer service everywhere!”
- Judy H
A Dentist Who Cares
When to Visit an Endodontist in Roseville, CA
If you or your dentist believes that you may have an infection in the pulp of your tooth, you may need to visit an endodontist in Roseville, CA to see about getting a root canal. In cases of a severe infection that is causing you moderate to intense pain, you should call our office right away. As an emergency dentist in Roseville, we can make sure you get your tooth checked out as soon as possible.
Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is made necessary when a cavity is allowed, through neglect, to reach all the way to this pulp. Regular cleanings and checkups prevent and detect problems early so this doesn’t happen!
Sometimes trauma to a tooth may also cause the nerve to be damaged to the point it needs root canal therapy. Once this damage occurs, the pulp becomes infected, and can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone. This is an abscess.
By the time the pulp is infected it must be treated, and cannot heal on its own. It can even weaken the entire immune system. This is dangerous, not to mention very painful. Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include:
- Sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets
- Pain
- Swelling
- Pain to biting or pressure
- A bad taste in the mouth.
Sometimes, however, no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup. A root canal is performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp, and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only other treatment would be to extract the tooth.
Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) are filled in to prevent any further infection. Usually a core build-up and crown is recommended for restoring a tooth that has had root canal therapy.
Endodontists specialize in caring for the internal pulp structures of your teeth, and are specially trained to deal with things such as complex internal tooth infections. If your dentist thinks that you need a root canal in Roseville, CA to help treat an infected tooth, you can trust the Roseville endodontics specialists at Arbor View Dental Group to make sure that you get the highest quality care for your tooth.
What to Expect from Your Endodontist in Roseville, CA During a Root Canal
When it comes time to have your tooth removed by an endodontist in Roseville, CA, there are a few things that you should expect. While a root canal is a simple procedure that is usually completed in one visit, you may experience swelling and discomfort afterwards. Make sure to plan ahead before your root canal appointment to ensure that you have a safe, quick healing period with no complications.
A root canal is the process by which the infected pulp and nerve endings of your tooth are removed, and the remaining cavity is sealed by your endodontist in Roseville, CA. Root canals can help prevent the spread of an infection from one tooth to another, and can help prevent the need for dental extractions to deal with the damaged tooth once it is too far past the treatment window.
- Your endodontist will first apply a form of anesthetic to the location of the infected tooth, as well as clean off the surface to allow them to clearly see the area they will be working with.
- A small hole is then drilled in the side of the tooth, and the internal pulp is cleaned out in its entirety. Your endodontist will make sure they remove all pulp and nerve endings from inside your tooth, as remaining tissue can become infected again.
- After the internal cavity is flushed out and dried thoroughly, your dentist will fill the internal structure with a sealant. In some cases, your endodontist may wait until a secondary visit to fully seal the tooth, in order to make sure there is no resurgence of the infection.
While you may feel some tenderness after your root canal, this can be reduced by taking over the counter pain medications. If you are looking for an endodontist in the Roseville, CA area to perform a root canal, call our office to set up an appointment today! Your dental health is our number one priority, and we work hard to get to the “root” of your dental problems to make sure to provide the most customized treatment plans possible.