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Root Canals services offered in Koreatown, Los Angeles, CA
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a treatment that restores an infected tooth, offering the chance to avoid extraction. This preserves bone health and keeps your smile looking and feeling its best.
The innermost layer of your teeth is a hollow chamber that extends down into the canals of your tooth roots. Dental pulp fills the chamber and consists of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues.
Infections may develop when bacteria enter through a crack, chip, or advanced dental decay. Because there is limited room within your tooth, inflammation causes significant dental pain.
A root canal works by removing all traces of infected pulp and covering the treated tooth with a custom dental crown.
What are some symptoms of an infected tooth?
Some of the indications you might have an infection include:
- Significant dental pain, especially when biting down
- Red or darkened areas of gum tissue
- Pimple-like sore on your gums
- Heightened sensitivity to heat or cold
- Chipped or cracked tooth
- Severe dental decay
A simple dental exam is the starting point for diagnosing a tooth infection. WPD Dental Group also offers advanced imaging, including digital X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, to learn more about the health of your dental pulp.
What steps are involved in root canals?
Having a root canal is a simple and straightforward process. Today’s root canals are virtually painless and effectively eliminate the pain of an infected tooth.
Your practitioner begins with an injection of numbing medication. A dental dam protects the surrounding teeth and soft tissue as your practitioner creates a small opening in the surface of your tooth.
A dental microscope and a series of slim dental tools called files clear the inner chamber of infected pulp. A thorough rinse ensures that no traces of pulp remain.
A special dental material called gutta percha fills the hollow tooth chamber before your dentist places a small filling to seal the tooth. Impressions measure the exact size and shape of the tooth and guide the fabrication of your custom dental crown.
Your dentist places a temporary crown to protect your tooth until the permanent crown arrives. You return to the office and have the new crown secured, which completes the root canal process.
When you’re ready to learn more, call the office to book a consultation. Online scheduling is also an option and takes just moments to complete.