Modern root canals are simple procedures that save your tooth!
The first step for a root canal therapy in Foothill Ranch is a thorough examination of the tooth, which includes taking X-rays. This helps your dentist determine the extent of the tooth's damage and infection. It also allows them to see the shape of the root canals and check for any signs of infection in the surrounding bone.
Before the procedure begins, local anesthesia is administered to numb the area and ensure your comfort. Once the tooth is numb, a small protective sheet called a "dental dam" is placed over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free from saliva during the procedure. Your dentist then makes an opening in the crown of the tooth and uses special tools to clean out the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals.
After the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it is then filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. This material is placed with an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canals. In most cases, a temporary filling is used to close the opening until a permanent filling or crown is placed.
One of the primary benefits of root canal therapy is pain relief. An infected or decayed tooth can cause severe pain, and root canal therapy can help alleviate this discomfort by removing the source of the pain - the infected or inflamed pulp.
Root canal therapy is a tooth-saving procedure. By cleaning and sealing the tooth, your dentist can help save your natural tooth, which is always a better option than extraction. Keeping your natural tooth helps prevent other teeth from drifting out of line and causing jaw problems.
Root canal therapy is a straightforward procedure that can usually be completed in one to two visits. It's also cost-effective, as the treatment is less expensive than having a tooth removed and replaced with a bridge or implant.
Root canal therapy has a high success rate!