Root Canal Specialist

What is a root canal treatment?

A root canal is a dental treatment that saves and repairs an infected tooth. If your tooth becomes severely infected from inside, one of the experienced dentists at Shine Dental removes the bacteria and any dying or dead tissue. This way, they can save your tooth and help ease your pain

What causes the root of a tooth to become infected?

From damage to the tooth or from a cavity allowed to go untreated, roots and tissue within your teeth can become infected with bacteria. If you don’t visit your Fremont dentist, the infected tissue may spread into the root or pulp of the tooth. If the infection develops any further this can lead to many other issues, so make sure you seek help.

How can I recognize an infected tooth?

An infected tooth can cause pain very quickly, particularly if you don't address it soon enough. The usual symptoms of an infected tooth are:

• Inflamed gums

• Tooth soreness, especially when chewing

• Extreme tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures

• Bad breath

• Pus coming from around the tooth

• Painful throbbing in your mouth or jaw

• Darkening color of the tooth

• A small pimple-like bump on your gum

What is the procedure for a root canal?

Typically, a highly-skilled Fremont dentist at Shine Dental can take care of your tooth in one or two visits. You may first need X-rays so the dentist can judge the magnitude of damage to the tooth needing a root canal.

During your first visit, your Fremont dentist uses a needle to numb the region and make sure you don't feel anything during the 90-minute procedure. Every now and then, they place a small sheet of rubber, or dental dam, around the tooth to protect it and keep it clean during the procedure. Once your tooth is anesthetized, the dentist forms a minuscule hole in your tooth to find and treat the area of infection in the root.

Next, your Fremont dentist will clear away the unhealthy and infected pulp, then irrigate the area with water to clean it. They then seal the tooth with a filling or take an impression of the tooth to have a crown made for it. You receive a temporary crown while you wait for the lab to complete the permanent crown.

When the lab finishes your crown, and it is ready to be permanently set in place, you return to the Shine Dental office for the second appointment in your root canal procedure. It’s a quick visit, wherein your dentist places your crown to make sure the treated tooth is well-protected and adjusts your bite to restore full function to your mouth.

Is getting a root canal painful?

The root canal procedure is not painful; it’s the infection in your tooth that causes pain. During a root canal, you don’t feel a thing thanks to the local anesthetic, most commonly novocaine, your Fremont dentist administers before they begin. And when the numbing wears off after the root canal is complete, the pain you felt from the infection will be gone. You may have some soreness or sensitivity in the treatment area for a few days, but over-the-counter pain medications can help if needed.

If you have any signs or symptoms of a tooth infection, call Shine Dental or schedule a consultation online.