Root Canal Treatment

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a type of dental preservation focused on teeth that have diseased interiors. The pulp of a tooth, which is made up of the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues, may become infected if the tooth is damaged. This infection can cause serious pain for the patient, sometimes to the point that they can't even bite down freely. In root canal therapy, the pulp is removed but the rest of the tooth is left intact. Root canals are often the best way to save a tooth that might otherwise have to be extracted due to decay.

What Are the Signs That Root Canal Therapy May Be Needed?

For most people, pain is the main indicator that there is an infection in the tooth pulp. The pain often happens when a person is chewing, although it may be present at other times as well. Some people who have an infection in the tooth pulp may develop swelling around the tooth, which can sometimes be evident even on the outer jaw. Sensitivity while brushing the teeth or while drinking hot or cold beverages is also fairly common in people who suffer from infections in the tooth pulp.

How Does the Root Canal Therapy Process Work?

Root canal therapy requires at least 2 different visits to the dentist. During the first visit, the patient will be placed under anesthesia while the dentist extracts the pulp from the tooth. The tooth will be thoroughly cleaned and then packed with medicated materials. A sealant is used to help repel bacteria, as well. A temporary crown will be placed while the permanent one is being created. The permanent crown is very strong and sturdy. It can be treated as if it's natural tooth material. With this crown in place, the tooth is preserved and will be much less likely to become infected again.

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Root Canal Retreatment

Can a Tooth Become Infected After Root Canal Therapy?

Yes, it's possible for a tooth to become infected following root canal therapy. In rare cases, some remnants of the infected pulp may remain in the tooth. This can cause a new infection and could result in an abscess around the tooth. This infection can also cause pain and swelling in the mouth, the jaw, and the face

How Does Root Canal Retreatment Work?

Retreatment is designed to save the natural tooth. During root canal retreatment, the dentist will make a small hole in the tooth to reach the site of the original root canal. The core materials that make up the tooth's "filling" are removed and examined to determine why the infection occurred. The tooth is then meticulously cleaned again, making sure that all of the damaged pulp is completely eradicated. In some cases, endodontic surgery may be required to treat the infection and seal the canal fully. A newly-created crown will then be put in place to protect the tooth.

What is the Alternative to Root Canal Retreatment?

When a root canal fails, there are really only 2 options: Root canal retreatment or removal of the tooth. If patients opt for tooth removal, they will then need to have a dental implant or bridge installed to preserve their ability to chew and to maintain proper teeth alignment. Tooth extraction can end up being more costly and time consuming than root canal retreatment because it often requires additional procedures on the surrounding natural teeth. In general, keeping the natural tooth is almost always the preferred option. The team at Beverly Hills Specialty Dental Care can work with each patient to help them determine whether root canal retreatment or extraction of the tooth is the better option in their specific situation.

Dental Microsurgery

How is Endodontic Microsurgery Different Than a Non-Surgical Endodontic Procedure?

Endodontic microsurgery is a surgical way to address infections and other problems with the tooth pulp. A root canal is a non-surgical endodontic procedure. During a root canal, the pulp of the tooth (the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues) is removed due to infection. After the damaged pulp is taken out, the tooth is cleaned and packed with preservative materials. A crown is placed atop the tooth to add strength. However, there may be situations in which root canal therapy is simply not sufficient and the tooth can't be saved without more complex treatment. This is where endodontic microsurgery comes in. Endodontic microsurgery is a surgical procedure in which problems like calcium deposits can be addressed. Calcium deposits may build up, making the canal impossible to clean and shape properly during the normal root canal process. Endodontic microsurgery can access areas that could not be accessed during a normal root canal, including support bones and root ends.

Will the Patient Feel Pain During Endodontic Microsurgery?

No, patients won't generally have pain during the endodontic microsurgery. Local anesthetics are administered before the surgery to keep patients comfortable. As patients recover, they will typically experience some swelling and pain. However, this is normal and can be managed with either prescription or non-prescription pain medication.

Is There an Another Option For Treatment?

When a non-surgical endodontic procedure like root canal fails, there are only 2 choices for treatment: Endodontic microsurgery and tooth extraction. Tooth extraction is more complex than it may seem because it also requires other procedures afterwards. People who choose tooth extraction will typically need to have a dental implant or a dental bridge placed in the extraction area later. This keeps the teeth from shifting and preserves the patient's ability to chew normally. In most cases, endodontic microsurgery is the best choice because it preserves the natural tooth.

Cleaning and Prevention

Dentistry is founded on the principle of prevention. All patients are recommended biannual cleanings and examinations.

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