Root Canal Marina del Rey
A root canal may sound like an intimidating prospect. Fortunately, the procedure’s fearsome reputation is vastly overblown. A well-executed root canal should involve only very minimal discomfort such as you might experience with a dental filling from a skilled dentist. It’s certainly preferable to the truly fearsome pain associated with a toothache! If you think you may be in need of a root canal in Marina del Rey and Culver City to treat a toothache or prevent one from happening, please do not hesitate to contact us to learn more about our treatment options.
Why a root canal may be necessary
It is possible for the soft tissue inside of a tooth, the pulp, to become severely decayed and infected for several reasons, ranging from contamination by untreated tooth decay to injury. When this happens, a root canal is performed to clean out decay and prevent infection from spreading to other areas of their mouth. If, on the other hand, the problem tooth is neglected, the tooth itself will eventually have to be extracted. It gets worse, however, because an untreated infection may spread, leading to severe swelling, possible bone loss at the local site, and additional tooth loss.
Fortunately, a root canal here at Elegant Dentistry is a tried and true means of saving teeth that have been seriously compromised. It is a safe and effective treatment for both younger and older patients. Our dentist in Marina Del Rey will evaluate a patient’s mouth to determine if a root canal is the correct treatment option or if some other approach is called for.
How the procedure is performed
Whatever the initial situation, a dentist will first evaluate the area in question. If it is determined that the patient should undergo a root canal, we will then use local anesthesia before drilling an access hole into the tooth. Once this is complete, the next step is to clean out the soft tissue from inside the tooth before it is resealed and the procedure is complete. In the instance that the procedure is not completed on the same day it is started, a temporary filling will be installed to keep out food and other contaminants. Patients will then be able to go about their usual business, though certain foods will have to be avoided.
After a root canal is completed, patients are given a temporary crown. Brushing, flossing, and mouth rinsing can usually continue normally. However certain foods, particularly harder fare such as nuts, will have to be avoided until healing has completed and it is time to affix the permanent crown. After that point, patients can return to their regular diet.
Contact Elegant Dentistry
For more information about root canals or other services offered by our office, please don’t hesitate to visit our contact page or call our number at (310) 827-2792 to speak with one of our representatives.