What Is A Root Canal? 

At Open Wide La Jolla in La Jolla, CA our goal is to help patients maintain their oral health by preserving their natural teeth when possible. A root canal procedure eliminates bacteria from the tooth’s infected root canal, prevents future infections of the tooth and saves the natural tooth. During the root canal treatment, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed.

Common reasons for root canals:

• Extensive tooth decay
• History of repeated dental procedures on a tooth
• Chipped or cracked tooth
• Injury to the tooth due to force or impact

A root canal treatment is a very common dental procedure like fillings  and is relatively painless. Dr. Chad Dains, your trusted La Jolla dentist will help alleviate your discomfort and you’ll be smiling again in no time.  

What Does a Root Canal Do?

A root canal dental procedure serves the purpose of preserving your natural tooth as opposed to extracting it. Its function is to:

• eliminate the bacterial infection from your tooth’s root canal
• clean and sterilize the inside of your tooth
• aid in preventing bacterial reinfections of your tooth

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

A dental assessment will determine if you need a root canal. We ensure that your root canal experience is as comfortable as possible and strive to explain and answer any questions you may have.

A root canal is an effective procedure that will relieve dental pain. There are a few reasons you may require a root canal, such as:

• injuries to your tooth that created cracks in it
• inherited genetic reasons

Some of the signs that you may need a root canal include:

• heightened tooth sensitivity, particularly to cold or hot liquids and food
• experiencing severe pain when biting and chewing food
• your gums are swollen or tender
• you have deeply embedded tooth decay
• inflammation and infections in the root of your tooth
• puss pocket enlargements caused by the infection that causes swelling in your face

How Will My Dentist Perform My Root Canal?

We perform root canals in our dental office located in the heart of the La Jolla village. It is a simple restoration procedure and may require two appointments to complete your root canal procedure depending on the tooth restoration required, such as a crown. 

The procedure begins with your dentist creating a hole in the top of your damaged tooth to remove the infected pulp. After rinsing your tooth with antiseptic, your dentist will refill your tooth with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. Next, your dentist will take impressions of your tooth and send them off to a dental lab that will fabricate a permanent crown. The last step is to seal the hole in your tooth to prevent reinfection. 

At your appointment, you can expect the following on your tooth:

1. We administer your local anesthetics to ensure your gums and tooth roots are numb.
2. We make an access hole in the tooth that houses the deep bacterial infection for access to the infected area.
3. Once inside your infected tooth, we will remove the soft tissue hidden behind your white enamel. We will remove this soft tissue, also known as the pulp, and the damaged tooth roots. 
4. The inside of your tooth will then be cleaned and disinfected with an antiseptic rinse.
5. Then, we will fill it with a rubber-like substance called gutta-percha. This substance will act as a temporary seal on your tooth.
6. We will take dental impressions of your tooth and create a mold to send to our dental lab.
7. From the mold impression, our dental lab will construct a crown for your tooth.

Your second appointment will be booked for about a week from your first appointment to allow the lab time to create your crown. At your second appointment with us, Dr. Dains will complete the procedure by setting and bonding your new permanent crown to your tooth. 

What is the Aftercare of my Root Canal?

After your root canal procedure is complete, we will prescribe you antibiotics. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication to manage any soreness from the procedure as needed. We will provide you with a list of instructions, such as to avoid smoking. By the time your second appointment arrives, your mouth will feel back to normal and ready to receive its new crown.

Do you need a crown after a root canal?

After a root canal, you may or may not need a crown. The location of the tooth in the mouth determines if you will need a crown. Teeth towards the back of the mouth like molars and premolars are needed more for chewing, and generally require crowns, but teeth such as  incisors or canines which aren’t needed for chewing don’t always require crowns.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us to book your consultation or appointment today.