Root Canals and Retreatment
ROOT CANAL THERAPY
At Valley Grace Dental, we aim to treat your dental problems at the earliest stage possible. However, if your dental decay or bacterial infection has advanced into the tooth’s inner structures (the pulp chamber), we recommend root canal therapy to protect your teeth from complete decay. Root canals remove all the infected tissues from within the infected tooth, protecting it from complete decay. If your teeth have become extremely sensitive or discolored, you may need to immediately consult our dentists for root canals. For more information on root canals in Bakersfield, California, please schedule an appointment at our office or call us today!
ROOT CANAL PROCEDURE DETAILS
A root canal therapy, also known as endodontic therapy, addresses the bacterial infection in the pulp chamber. After the digital x-rays and necessary diagnostic procedures, we drill an access hole into the affected tooth to access the pulp chamber. We use special tools and dental files to remove all the infected pulp, soft tissues, and nerves to thoroughly clean the insides of the tooth. We use antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection, place a temporary filling, and allow the tooth to heal for a week. During your next appointment, we use a compound called gutta-percha to seal the tooth’s insides and deliver a crown. We recommend porcelain crowns after tooth canals to protect your weakened tooth while also resembling all your surrounding teeth. Porcelain has similar textural properties as enamel, making it indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
WHO NEEDS A ROOT CANAL?
You need root canal therapy if your dental decay or cavity has moved beyond the surface enamel and into the pulp chamber. Most people suffer from cavities occasionally due to bacterial decay, plaque accumulation, poor oral hygiene, etc. If caught early, cavities can be easily filled with tooth-colored composite fillings. However, most people don’t realize they have cavities because dental decay on the enamel doesn’t lead to noticeable signs or symptoms. Most people start noticing the signs of decay once the infection spreads into the tooth’s root canal, necessitating root canal therapy. As such, root canals are entirely avoidable if you schedule dental exams and cleanings once every six months, as recommended.
The following is an overview of signs that you need a root canal:
- Excessive tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
- Sharp pains while biting, chewing, etc.
- Pimple or pus formations on the gums.
- Inexplicable chipped or cracked teeth.
- Gum swelling.
- Painful sensations in the gums.
- Darkened gums.
- Decaying teeth or gums.
- Large hole in a tooth.
ROOT CANAL AT VALLEY GRACE DENTAL
At Valley Grace Dental, our primary aim is to ensure you and your family maintain optimal oral health and all your natural dental structures for a lifetime. With proper oral care and regular dental exams, that’s completely possible. That’s why we recommend dental exams and teeth cleanings once every six months. However, if you suffer from bacterial infection, we only recommend root canals as a last resort to avoid complete dental decay. Our dentists use the most conservative and minimally invasive treatments possible to ensure you maintain healthy teeth. For more information, please schedule your root canal consultation today.
