09
Apr
What to Expect During a Dental Root Canal Procedure
A toothache can take over your entire day (and night) if you can’t find pain relief. It makes it hard to sleep, concentrate, and focus if you need to work or take care of your family. If you have an infection on the inside of your tooth, a root canal by Dr. Cheng Zhu at Freedom Dental in Fairfield, California, can relieve your pain and save your tooth. Let’s learn more about root canals: how they work and when you need one.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal procedure removes infected pulp from the inside of your tooth. Pulp contains nerves and blood vessels, which can become infected or inflamed if you have deep tooth decay. During a root canal, Dr. Zhu removes the infected pulp. Then, he cleans the inside of your tooth before sealing it up to keep it from becoming re-infected.
When Is a Root Canal Needed?
The pulp is needed when your teeth are developing because it supports your growing tooth while also providing nutrients. However, a fully mature tooth no longer needs the pulp to survive. So if it becomes infected because of tooth decay, Dr. Zhu can remove the pulp. Infection can also occur if you’ve experienced trauma to your teeth. For an infected tooth, it’s important to have a root canal done so you can save the tooth.
How Do I Know if I Need a Root Canal?
To be sure you need a root canal, it’s important to make an appointment at our office as soon as possible. Dr. Zhu will need to examine you and diagnose the cause of your tooth pain. Any of these symptoms may indicate the need for a root canal:
- Persistent or throbbing pain
- An abscess or pimple on your gums
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold
- The tooth becomes dark in color
- Pain when chewing food
- Swollen gums near the area where your tooth hurts
Is a Root Canal Painful?
Modern dentistry and sophisticated sedation have created a painless root canal procedure. Most of Dr. Zhu’s patients report that a root canal has no more discomfort than getting a tooth filled. If you have an active infection, the area may be tender or sensitive for two days after the root canal.
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New Patients: (707) 416-0626 | Existing Patients: (707) 422-2236 True Dental Emergency: (707) 301-0338
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What Happens During the Root Canal Procedure?
A root canal is a straightforward procedure that usually takes just one visit to our office. In rare instances, you may have to visit the office twice. Here are the steps for a dental root canal process:
- Dr. Zhu uses a local anesthetic to numb the area of the affected tooth.
- He creates an access hole in the top of your infected tooth.
- Then, the infected or damaged pulp is removed.
- The inside of your tooth is cleaned.
- Dr. Zhu then fills the tooth and seals it with gutta-percha, a rubber-like material.
- Finally, Dr. Zhu places a porcelain crown atop your treated tooth.
What Happens if I Put Off a Root Canal?
If you delay making a dental appointment and need a root canal, the infection can spread to your other teeth and even into your bloodstream. If the infection spreads to the blood, it becomes a life-threatening condition. If tooth decay and disease aren’t addressed, you could risk losing your tooth.
What Should I Do if I Think I Need a Root Canal?
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, Dr. Cheng Zhu encourages you to call and make an appointment at Freedom Dental in Fairfield, CA. You can book an appointment using the website’s form or call (707) 416-0626 immediately.
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Dr. Cheng Zhu - Freedom Dental
Cheng Zhu, DMD, leads Fairfield Dental and offers safe and effective services that support optimal comfort, healing, and an exceptional patient experience.Whether you need a crown, emergency care, implants, an impacted wisdom tooth extraction, or full-mouth rehabilitation, Dr. Zhu can help. A former pharmacist who can support your oral and overall health, he is one of the few dentists licensed in California to provide intravenous sedation to ease dental anxiety.
Dr. Zhu is trained and equipped to provide many advanced surgical options, eliminating the need to refer patients to other experts. Fairfield, California, patients trust the caring, compassionate, and affordable family dental care the team offers.