Root Canals Specialist

What are root canals?

Root canals are treatments for tooth infections and inflammation inside teeth. The innermost layer of soft tissue in your tooth is called the pulp, and it’s where you can find the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. Your tooth doesn’t need its pulp to survive once it’s fully grown, so removing the pulp during a root canal is safe and won’t compromise the tooth for good. 

During your root canal, the team at Novato Family Dental Care accesses the infected or inflamed pulp by making an opening in the tooth’s surface. They clear the pulp out of the tooth, disinfect the inner canals, and reshape the canals before filling them with a sealer. Once filled, your tooth is ready for a protective custom-made porcelain crown.

How can I tell if I need root canals?

When you need a root canal, the symptoms make it very obvious. Even if you don’t realize your symptoms are from a tooth infection or inflamed pulp, at the very least, you’ll know you need to visit the dentist. 

The team at Novato Family Dental Care encourages scheduling an appointment right away if you get symptoms, such as:

• Tooth pain, especially when biting down

• Tooth sensitivity to heat and cold temperatures

• Visible chips and cracks in a tooth

• Pimples on the gums

• Dark tooth discoloration

• Swollen gums

• Loose adult tooth

 

By coming in for a root canal for your injured or infected tooth, you can save the tooth’s original structure and avoid severe complications, including sepsis, tooth loss, and jawbone loss. 

Do root canals hurt?

Many assume root canals are excruciating procedures, enough so that some people forgo root canals altogether because of anxiety. Yet, the pain of a root canal is somewhat of a misconception. You get local anesthesia during your procedure which numbs the tooth itself and the area around it. 

While you’re awake during the procedure, you won’t be in pain or uncomfortable. Instead, once the anesthesia wears off, you might find that you’re in less pain than before your root canal.

If you still have concerns about pain or discomfort during the procedure, you can talk to the team at Novato Family Dental Care about possible options for sedation. 

If you experience tooth pain or other symptoms indicative of a tooth infection, call Novato Family Dental Care or book an appointment online today.