Root Canal Therapy

What is Root Canal Therapy? (A Modern Guide to Saving Your Tooth)

Few phrases in dentistry inspire more anxiety than "root canal." For decades, this procedure has been associated with horror stories of pain and discomfort.

We want to let you in on a modern dental secret: Root canal therapy doesn't cause pain; it relieves it.

The intense, throbbing pain that leads to a root canal is caused by a deep infection within the nerve tissue (the "pulp") inside your tooth. The procedure itself is the solution that removes the source of the infection and, with it, the source of the pain. It is a highly successful, routine treatment designed to save your natural tooth from being lost forever.

Why Would You Need a Root Canal?

The pulp is the living tissue at the center of your tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels. It can become inflamed and infected due to:

• Deep Decay: A cavity that has been left untreated and has reached the pulp.
• A Crack or Chip: A fracture in the tooth that allows bacteria to seep into the pulp chamber.
• Trauma: A sudden blow to a tooth that damages the nerve.

When the pulp is infected, it creates intense pressure inside the tooth, leading to the severe pain, swelling, and sensitivity that are the classic signs a root canal is needed.

The Modern Root Canal Experience: What Actually Happens

Thanks to modern anesthetics, instruments, and techniques, the experience of getting a root canal today is typically no different than getting a routine filling.

1. Getting You Comfortable (and Numb!): Our first and most important step is to ensure the tooth and all surrounding tissues are profoundly numb. You will not feel any pain during the procedure.
2. Cleaning the Canals: We make a small opening in the tooth to access the infected pulp. We then use a series of very fine, specialized instruments to carefully clean and disinfect the entire inner chamber and root canals, removing the damaged tissue.
3. Filling and Sealing: Once the canals are meticulously cleaned, we fill them with a sterile, rubber-like material called gutta-percha. This seals the inside of the tooth, preventing any bacteria from re-entering.
4. Placing a Protective Crown: The procedure is completed by placing a dental crown on the tooth. This is a critical final step, as the tooth is now brittle and needs protection from fracturing. (See: Root Canal Crown).

The alternative to a root canal is having the tooth extracted. Saving your natural tooth is almost always the better option, preventing issues like shifting teeth, bone loss, and the future need for a more complex bridge or implant.

Here's what we want you to remember:

Root canal therapy is a pain-relieving procedure designed to save your natural tooth from extraction. Modern techniques and anesthetics make it a comfortable, routine treatment that removes infection and sets the stage for restoring your tooth to full health with a crown.

Every patient's situation is unique.

The anatomy of your tooth's roots is unique, like a fingerprint. We use advanced imaging and techniques to meticulously navigate and clean your specific tooth, ensuring the source of infection is completely removed for a successful, long-term outcome.

Are you experiencing a severe toothache?

Or have sensitivity to hot or cold, or a bump on your gums? Don't wait for the pain to get worse. We're here to give you honest, personalized answers and get you out of pain. Schedule a consultation at our Woodland Hills practice – let's talk about what's really best for your smile.