07
May
How Root Canals (Root Canal Treatment) Work to Save Decayed Teeth
Swollen gums and painful chewing are telltale signs that something’s not right with your teeth. These could be signs of decay, an oral infection, or gum disease. Untreated decay can threaten the life of your tooth by spreading to the pulp and infecting the blood vessels and nerves. At this stage, the only way our team can save your tooth is through root canal treatment. At Dreamtime Dentistry, we offer root canal therapy to our patients in Vista, California.
Painless, Effective Tooth-Saving Treatment
Root canals entail removing the infected pulp of your tooth and diseased tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. This eliminates the infection to save your tooth. Although a root canal is a meticulous process, there’s no need to dread this treatment. The procedure is done under local anesthesia, so you feel no pain or discomfort while we work on your tooth. We also offer general anesthesia. If anything, root canals relieve pain so that you can bite and chew comfortably again.
When Root Canals are Needed
Root canals are generally recommended when decay has infected the pulp of your tooth. That’s the inner chamber that houses the blood vessels and nerves. Left unchecked, this infection will destroy your tooth. It can also spread to healthy teeth, putting them at risk of infection. If the infection enters your bloodstream, it can also cause health problems.
Here are some signs that you may need root canal treatment:
- Severe tooth pain, especially when biting and chewing
- Swollen, tender gums
- Extreme tooth sensitivity to temperature changes in your mouth
- Tooth discoloration/darkened tooth
- Pimple-like sores on the gums
A dental evaluation by our dentists will determine if you need root canal therapy.
Call Our Office for More Information
New Patients: (760) 274-0993 | Existing Patients: (760) 720-0451
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Root Canal Procedure
Root canals are relatively common treatments performed by most dentists today. If you’re nervous about this treatment, we can give you a sedative to help you relax for your procedure.
We will start by cleaning your tooth and numbing the area for treatment. We’ll then drill your tooth to get to the infected pulp and have it removed, along with all diseased tissues and nerves. We’ll clean and disinfect your tooth chamber and canals to eliminate any remaining infection. Then, we’ll seal your tooth with gutta-percha material to keep the infection from recurring. The last step in your treatment is crowning your tooth to protect its weakened structure.
How Long Will a Root Canal Take?
Generally, root canals take about an hour or slightly longer to complete, depending on the complexity of your treatment. If a temporary crown is placed during your treatment, your dentist will schedule a follow-up visit to put a permanent crown within a few weeks. Upon completion of your treatment, your tooth will look, feel, and function like new. With proper care, a root canal tooth can give you years of quality use.Â
Dentist That Does Root Canals Near Me
For quality root canal treatment to save your tooth from extraction, contact our team at Dreamtime Dentistry in Vista, CA, at (760) 274-0993.
Dr. Ryan Watkins
Dr. Ryan Watkins is a licensed dentist with specialized training in anesthesiology, blending expertise in general anesthesia and IV sedation within his private practice. A graduate of Loma Linda School of Dentistry in 2003, Dr. Watkins completed advanced anesthesiology training at Riverside County Regional Medical Center, Loma Linda University Medical Center, and the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry Surgery Center for Dentistry. He has extensive experience including complex cases in endodontics, periodontics, dental implants, oral surgery, and pediatric dentistry. His experience and dedication to sedation dentistry ensure exceptional care, particularly for children and adults who benefit from his integrative approach.Connect with Dr. Ryan Watkins on Linkedin