Root canals

Types of Root Canal Treatment

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There are different types of root canal treatments, including nonsurgical root canal treatment, apicoectomy, pulpotomy, and pulpectomy. Nonsurgical root canal treatment is the most common and involves the dentist drilling down deeper than a regular filling to clean the canal. An apicoectomy, or endodontic microsurgery, involves removing the root tip and surrounding tissue. In a pulpotomy, only a portion of the tooth’s pulp is removed, while the roots are preserved. A pulpectomy, on the other hand, removes the pulp from all parts of the tooth, including the roots. Understanding the different types of root canal treatments can help you make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

Types of Root Canal

Non-surgical Root Canal Procedure

The most common root canal procedure is the non-surgical type to protect your natural tooth. This type of procedure is typically painless and similar to receiving a deep filling. The dentist will drill down deeper than during a regular filling to access the root canal and clean it, protecting your natural tooth. Understanding the non-surgical root canal procedure can alleviate any fears or concerns you may have about the process.

Apicoectomy Surgery

An apicoectomy targets the end or tip of a tooth’s root, also known as root-end resection. This procedure is sometimes referred to as endodontic microsurgery. When a standard root canal treatment is insufficient, an apicoectomy may be necessary. During an apicoectomy, the dentist will remove the tooth’s root tip and surrounding tissue by making an incision in the gum tissue near the tooth. Damaged tissue will be excised, including a small portion of the root tip. A root-end filling will then be used to fill the area and prevent re-infection of the root. Understanding the apicoectomy procedure can help alleviate any concerns or anxiety you may have about the process.

Pulpotomy and Pulpectomy

Both pulpotomy and pulpectomy procedures aim to remove infected pulp tissue. A pulpotomy involves the partial removal of a tooth’s pulp, while leaving the roots intact. This procedure is typically performed on children as a pediatric root canal treatment. Mineral trioxide aggregate, ferric sulphate, and calcium hydroxide are commonly used materials in pulpotomy. A pulpotomy is necessary if the decay or trauma is limited to the tooth’s crown. On the other hand, a pulpectomy is also commonly performed on children. This procedure involves the complete removal of infected pulp tissue from both the tooth’s crown and root. A pulpectomy is necessary if the tissue in both the tooth’s crown and root is infected. Understanding the differences between these two procedures can help alleviate any concerns or questions you may have regarding the treatment.

Root Canal Retreatment Procedure

A root canal retreatment involves removing the previous treatment’s material to cleanse the root canal and prevent infection. The dentist will remove any infection from the tooth and replace the filling materials. A root canal retreatment is necessary if there is new decay or damage to the tooth. It can be done multiple times if needed and typically takes 90 minutes to complete.

Waterlase System Laser Dentistry

The WaterLase is an advanced dental technology that eliminates the need for drills or scalpels during dental procedures. With the use of a water-energized laser beam, the WaterLase system provides a painless and comfortable experience. By combining water, air, and laser energy, the WaterLase system effectively reduces bacteria and removes decay with precision. Consider using Waterlase for a more comfortable and accurate dental procedure.

Read Causes of Pain after a Root Canal.

Purpose of Different Types of Root Canal Procedures

There are various root canal removal procedure available that prioritize both your comfort and oral health. The GentleWave procedure utilizes soundwaves and fluids to eliminate infected tissue, debris, and bacteria. This method is less invasive than traditional treatments. The BIOLASE Waterlase system employs light, water, and air to eliminate bacteria from the root canals. Endodontic microsurgery is necessary if the treatment performed on the root apex of an infected tooth is unsuccessful. Root canal retreatment involves the removal of the previous filling material, cleaning the area, and replacing it with new materials.

What is the Difference Between a Non-surgical Root Canal Treatment and an Apicoectomy?

A non-surgical root canal procedure requires drilling deeper than a regular filling to reach the root canal for cleaning. On the other hand, an apicoectomy involves the removal of the tooth’s root tip and filling of the root end cavity.

Can a General Dentist Perform Any Type of Root Canal?

Yes, any type of root canal can be performed by a general dentist as they are all trained on how to do the treatment.

Is It Better to Perform Root Canal Retreatment Instead of Tooth Extraction?

Yes, a root canal retreatment is a preferable option to extraction for treating an infected tooth. During the retreatment, the dentist removes the infection and replaces the filling materials. Extraction is only necessary if the tooth is severely decayed or beyond repair.

Dr. Peter S. Young at Premier Dental Esthetics is a dentist who specializes in root canal treatment. Dr. Peter S. Young looks forward to restoring the health of your teeth.

What is there to know about Root canal other than its types?

A root canal treatment is a procedure aimed at saving a badly damaged or infected tooth, commonly achieved through nonsurgical means. It is typically considered as a last resort before a tooth extraction becomes inevitable. Root canals are recommended when there is pain or swelling caused by bacteria that have infiltrated the pulp inside the tooth. Delaying treatment can negatively impact your oral health and make you more susceptible to severe health issues. During the procedure, the Root canal dentist will eliminate the infection from inside the tooth, disinfect the root, and seal the space with a filling. After a few weeks, the temporary filling is removed, and a permanent crown is placed. To avoid the need for a root canal treatment, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth regularly.

Causes of Pain After a Root Canal

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It is normal to experience some discomfort following a root canal. After the anesthetic wears off, you can generally expect some soreness and moderate discomfort. You should not experience any sharp pain as long as you follow your dentist’s instructions.

Causes of Pain After a Root Canal

Before leaving the office, your dentist will tell you what kind of over-the-counter pain medications you can safely take. Using a regular dose should be enough to dull any discomfort and keep you comfortable through the first couple of days of recovery following your root canal in Arcadia.

If your pain does not fade within two or three days, or if it becomes worse, then you need to contact your dentist in Arcadia. There are several potential complications that could cause you to continue feeling pain, and it is best to address them as soon as possible.

What Pain Is Normal?

A root canal is a fairly routine procedure, but it can be traumatic for the tooth and surrounding tissue. In the first day or so following a root canal, you can expect the surrounding area to feel a bit swollen and tender.

During this time period, you should refrain from drinking very cold liquids. Also, you should avoid chewing as much as possible. A cool, but not ice-cold, liquid diet is a great choice for the first day. By day two and three you should be comfortable moving onto soft foods.

As long as everything went to plan, the swelling should be down by day three or four. You may experience some occasional tenderness, but the pain should be subsiding. If the pain stays the same or gets worse, that is a sign that you may have a complication causing pain after your root canal.

Root Canal Complications

Most root canals have zero complications, but that doesn’t mean something can’t go wrong. These are some of the most common issues that could crop up.

A Canal Was Missed

Your teeth have several tiny canals going down to the root. During a root canal, it is possible to miss one, which would leave some of the infection in place. If it turns out that this is the case with your tooth, then the root canal will need to be redone.

The Infection Reached the Bone

Your dentist will take x-rays to determine the extent of your infection, but it is possible for the infection to progress between your x-rays and your procedure. If the infection has reached the jaw bone, then you will continue to experience pain until that infection is treated.

The Filling or Crown Is the Wrong Size

If the filling or the crown is over-sized, then it will affect your bite. When one tooth doesn’t fit with the rest of your bite, it takes on more surface pressure than the others. This can cause discomfort and even pain when you’re chewing. Fortunately, it’s usually an easy fix.

There Are Leaks in the Filling

The filling is intended as a seal to protect your tooth from further infection. If there’s a leak, then bacteria in your mouth could travel through the opening and re-infect the tooth. A second root canal may be necessary in this case.

Dealing with Root Canal Complications

Root canal complications are never fun. The good news is that they’re usually pretty easy to address, especially if you have the complication treated right away.

If you are experiencing serious pain or you notice that the pain isn’t going away with a few days of your procedure, then it is best to contact your dentist for an immediate evaluation.

Top Root Canal Myths

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Patients who have never undergone a root canal procedure may be traumatized just by the mention of a “root canal.” Media often portray root canals as a torture experience reminiscent of medieval times. Although endodontics is often portrayed as a painful and dangerous procedure, dentists want to remind you that this is not the case. Most of these terrible stories are just myths that have become more exaggerated over the years.

Top Root Canal Myths

Root canals can save your teeth from having to be completely removed. Let’s talk about root canals and what’s involved when you visit your dentist in Arcadia for this type of procedure. Below, you’ll find the 5 top root canal myths we hear about and what the truth really is.

Root Canals Cause Pain

Many horror stories have been told about root canals that are painful and dangerous. Modern technology makes this procedure painless. The entire procedure is painless because it is completely numbed. You can choose to have local or complete anesthesia in some instances. The area can experience swelling or soreness while healing but this will quickly disappear.

Extractions Are Better Than Root Canals

Another myth is that an extract is more effective than a root canal. General extractions are less expensive but you will end up spending more in the long term because you will need to fill any space left behind. Root canals can save your tooth and prevent you from having to deal with a broken or missing tooth. Root canals can prevent bad infections from spreading further inside your mouth. This could lead to more broken teeth down the road.

Root Canals Cause People to Get Sick

Modern root canals are safer than traditional ones. Root canals can be safely and are not at risk of any diseases. It is best to save natural teeth if possible. Root canals are more likely to prevent you from becoming sick than make you become sick.

All Root Canals are a Dental Emergency

You should always be able call an emergency dentist to get root canal treatment performed quickly. Some people might experience milder symptoms while others may experience more serious problems. If you have severe pain, bleeding or damage to your pulp, it is important that you seek emergency dentistry treatment right away. You should not assume that your tooth infection is serious. Call your endodontist immediately if you are unsure. Although not all root canals need to be performed immediately, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Root Canal Surgery Has a Long Road to Recovery

Patients may be more afraid of the recovery than they are of the actual procedure. Although you might feel some sensitivity for a few days after the procedure, it’s not too severe. An endodontist removed the affected tooth. If you are experiencing severe pain, your dentist or doctor may prescribe pain relief medication. If you feel something is not right, it should only last a few days.

We offer Root Canal Treatments. Contact Us Today!

Our endodontic specialists can help you learn more about the best treatments for tooth infections. After scheduling a consultation with your dentist, you can find out more about the safe and easy way to get a root canal in Arcadia. Root canal treatment can seem scary to many, but our friendly professionals will help you overcome your fears and make it as painless as possible. From beginning to end, the root canal experience should be fast and without any trauma. To learn more, contact our friendly dental experts and schedule a personal consultation for the betterment of your dental health.

Failed Root Canal Symptoms

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A root canal involves the removal of the center portion of your teeth, often referred to as the “pulp.” The pulp is made up of connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. The dental procedure is necessary when that portion of your tooth becomes infected, injured, or inflamed. The procedure is highly effective, but it can fail in some cases. Below you will find the most common failed root canal symptoms.

Failed Root Canal Symptoms

Root canals have over a 95% success rate. However, there are some cases where a root canal can fail. If you see any of the following signs of a failed root canal, contact a dental professional immediately.

  • Pain: Some pain is normal after a root canal so it’s important to talk with your dentist in Arcadia about how you are feeling. You should experience mild pain for just a few days. If your pain is persistent and lasts beyond the first few days after your procedure, it may be a cause for concern. Pain after the first few days is often caused by inflammation.
  • Inflammation is often a sign of an infection so it’s important to get it examined right away.
    Swelling: Some swelling is also normal after your root canal procedure. In fact, some patients experience swelling for one to three days post-procedure. Usually over-the-counter medication can help reduce your symptoms. However, swelling beyond the third day is a sign of an infection. This is serious and should be addressed with your dentist immediately.
  • Discharge: Pus or discharge should not occur, even right after your procedure. If you notice pus or discharge (especially if it’s mixed with blood) after your root canal, it is a cause for concern. Pus and abnormal discharge are often associated with an infection. You need treatment right away if your root canal has failed and there are any lingering signs of infection.

Treatment for a Failed Root Canal

Getting a root canal in Arcadia after a failed root canal is necessary for your dental and overall health. The treatment is essentially the same as the original root canal as the focus is to remove the infected, inflamed, or injured pulp from your tooth. The purpose of a root canal is to remove the bacteria from the inside of your tooth. This is done through drilling a small hole into your tooth and then removing the material inside.

The area is disinfected to ensure there is nothing left behind. When the pulp is removed your tooth is then sealed to ensure nothing can get in or out. If your first root canal failed, a dentist will reopen your tooth to get back in to clean everything out. While nobody wants to have back to back root canals, it is necessary for your health. If you are concerned that you may need a root canal, contact the team at Premier Dental Esthetics.

Benefits of a Root Canal

The risks associated with an untreated root canal can be serious. This is why a root canal is a highly beneficial treatment as it preserves your natural tooth and improves your oral health. There are a number of benefits to a root canal including the prevention of tooth loss, infecting neighboring teeth, and it prevents jaw bone degeneration. The procedure is also cost-effective and can help save you on future dental bills. Failing to get a root canal can result in a number of dental issues later on. A root canal can preserve your natural tooth, but if left untreated, you may need tooth extraction and a tooth replacement. If you are concerned you may need a root canal, contact a dental professional immediately.

Dead Or Just Sick?

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do I need a root canal Arcadia

This blog post from Premier Dental Esthetics in Arcadia centers around the need for root canal treatment.

Since our teeth don’t grow and the enamel is not made of living cells, sometimes we forget that teeth are alive. We are reminded that they have active nerves when we have a toothache or sudden sensitivity to hot or cold food.

Like other organs, teeth need a blood supply to stay alive and healthy.

Veins, arteries, lymph vessels and nerves live below the enamel and dentin in the pulp of the tooth. When the blood flow is cut off, the tooth eventually dies. What can cause blood flow troubles? Injury, trauma, infection, large fillings, and multiple restorations can impact a tooth’s blood supply.

When a tooth becomes infected, it can be saved with root canal therapy. During a root canal (known foramlly as endodontic treatment) the soft tissue in the root of the tooth is removed. Once the roots are cleaned out and widened, they are filled with a special rubber material. The root canal is only the first step in the complete tooth restoration. The final steps are the core build up and crown.

Root canals ordinarily last many years, but not always. Inadequate oral hygiene, decay, periodontal disease, an undetected crack, abscess, or degradation of root canal sealing materials can all cause a root canal to fail.

In addition to root canals, Premier Dental Esthetics in Arcadia provides a full range of cosmetic dentistry services. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Premier Dental Esthetics – Peter S. Young, DDS:

626-445-2536

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301 W Huntington Dr. Ste 217
Arcadia, California
91007

 

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