Oak Dental’s root canal treatment is a safe, effective, and often necessary procedure designed to save your natural tooth, relieve pain, and prevent the need for tooth extraction. With our state-of-the-art dental studio, root canal therapy is performed with the highest care ensuring your well-being.
Why Choose Oaks Dental for Your Root Canal Treatment?
Oaks Dental provides specialized care and advanced endodontic treatment options thanks to our cutting-edge technology, including digital imaging, to ensure precise diagnostics and treatment planning. Moreover, our experienced endodontist and root canal dentists are highly trained in managing complex cases, delivering pain management solutions that minimize discomfort throughout the procedure.
Whether you’re dealing with tooth decay, an infection, or a damaged tooth pulp, we offer a comprehensive range of restorative dentistry and preventive care services to restore your smile and maintain optimal oral health.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is an endodontic procedure designed to treat the inside of the tooth—specifically, the tooth pulp—when it becomes infected, inflamed, or damaged. During the root canal therapy procedure, your root canal dentist removes the affected pulp tissue, cleans and disinfects the tooth, and seals it with a biocompatible material like gutta-percha. This treatment helps prevent the need for extraction and preserves the natural tooth’s structure, allowing you to maintain your smile and oral function.
When Do You Need a Root Canal?
Oaks Dental provides comprehensive root canal therapy for patients suffering from tooth decay, infection, or severe sensitivity. You may need a root canal if you experience:
- Persistent tooth pain, especially when chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
- Swelling or tenderness in the gums
- Discoloration or darkening of the tooth
- A pimple-like bump on the gums (an abscess)
Left untreated, an infection in the tooth pulp can spread, leading to further complications, including bone loss, abscesses, and potential tooth extraction.
What is the Step-by-Step Process for the Procedure?
- Diagnosis and Imaging: We use advanced digital imaging to assess the extent of tooth decay and infection.
- Anesthesia and Pain Management: We administer local anesthesia and offer pain management options to ensure your comfort.
- Access and Cleaning: Our root canal dentist creates a small opening in the tooth to access the tooth pulp. The infected tissue is removed, and the canals are cleaned thoroughly.
- Shaping and Filling: The canals are shaped and filled with gutta-percha, a biocompatible material that seals the tooth and prevents reinfection.
- Temporary or Permanent Restoration: Depending on the case, we may place a temporary filling or proceed to a dental crown to fully restore the tooth’s structure and function.
This step-by-step process is designed to prevent infection and preserve the tooth, avoiding tooth extraction whenever possible.
Will I Need Multiple Visits for My Root Canal?
In some cases, multiple visits may be necessary, especially if the infection is extensive or if endodontic surgery is required. At Oak Dentals, we will discuss your treatment plan with you, ensuring you understand the process and feel confident in your care. Our goal is to complete your root canal treatment as efficiently and comfortably as possible, with minimal disruption to your schedule.
What Should I Expect After the Procedure?
After the procedure, it’s normal to experience mild sensitivity or discomfort, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Our team will provide detailed aftercare instructions, including recommendations for oral hygiene and dietary adjustments to promote healing. Most patients return to normal activities the next day, although it’s essential to follow any specific guidelines. Our commitment is to ensure your recovery is smooth, and your oral health is restored effectively.
Will I Need a Crown After My Root Canal?
In many cases, a dental crown is necessary to reinforce the treated tooth, as it may become more fragile following the procedure. By placing a dental crown for tooth restoration, we help prevent future damage and ensure long-lasting results.
How Long is the Recovery Time?
Most patients experience relief from pain and sensitivity within a few days, with complete healing taking about one to two weeks. The recovery timeline may vary depending on the complexity of the case, your body’s natural healing process, and whether additional restorative dentistry procedures are required, such as placing a dental crown. Our team will monitor your progress and provide preventive dentistry tips to support optimal healing and long-term oral health.
Call Us to Schedule Your Appointment
Don’t let tooth decay and infection threaten your oral health. Whether you’re experiencing pain, sensitivity, or swelling, our root canal dentist and endodontist team is here to help you save your tooth and restore your smile. Call us today at (818) 431-2000 to schedule your appointment.