Root Canal

Dental pain, swelling, and temperature sensitivity are all symptoms of a tooth infection that needs a dentist’s immediate attention.

The doctors at Legaspi Family Dental perform virtually painless root canals using cutting-edge technology and modern, gentle techniques.

Discover how root canal therapy at our practice can alleviate pain and restore the health of your smile…


Experiencing Pain?

A root canal is considered a dental emergency—don’t wait to seek treatment. If you are experiencing pain that radiates or is deep in your tooth, have signs of infection, or have temperature sensitivity, contact us or call our office. We’ll make an appointment for you to be seen by a dentist as soon as possible.

Here's how infected teeth can affect your overall health...

Root canal therapy is a procedure designed to restore infected teeth. Root canals are needed when bacteria spread from the outer surfaces of the tooth to the inner pulp, which is comprised of blood vessels and nerves. The dentist will extract the pulp and seal the tooth in order to save your teeth from extraction and prevent further decay.

What Is a Root Canal?

Worried because you need a root canal? Don’t be! Our practice combines ultra-modern techniques and a gentle approach to perform root canals with minimal discomfort and excellent results. We also numb the treatment area before we begin, so you shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure.

Is a Root Canal Painful?

If you are still nervous, we can also provide sedation to help you relax. Remember that the purpose of a root canal is to remove the infected pulp that causes pain. Therefore, most patients who undergo root canal treatment at Legaspi Family Dentistry find that the benefits of a root canal far outweigh any stress or anxiety felt during treatment.

The sooner you schedule a root canal for a damaged tooth, the higher the chances of an effective procedure. Patients of our practice discover that root canal treatment can…

Benefits of a Root Canal

Save the Natural Tooth

Left untreated, the infected pulp can weaken the natural tooth structure and damage the surrounding bone. A root canal removes bacteria and restores the remaining tooth, saving it from extraction and the need for implants.

Relieve Discomfort

Patients with root canal infections often notice pain while chewing and sensitivity when the tooth is exposed to hot and cold temperatures. A root canal can alleviate these uncomfortable symptoms and help you eat much easier.

Protect Weakened Teeth

A cavity or infection can affect the structural integrity of the tooth, weakening it and eventually causing tooth loss. After removing the damaged pulp, your dentist will restore and reinforce the tooth with a custom-made dental crown.

Restore Aesthetics

Cavities affect the color of your tooth enamel, producing a dark or shadowy appearance. A dental crown is a natural-looking dental restoration that caps the exterior of the tooth after a root canal, restoring a bright and healthy appearance to your teeth.

Save Money

Root canal therapy is less expensive than other restorative dentistry treatments and the procedure is often covered by insurance. Patients who delay treatment may need to have their teeth extracted and restored with implants, which are more expensive.

What Should I Expect During a Root Canal?

Most root canals procedures only require two visits to our office. When you first visit the dentist for a consultation, we will examine your smile, determine your needs, and design a custom treatment plan. A root canal generally follows this timeline:


The Root Canal Procedure

1
Preparation:

We will take X-rays of your smile to determine the extent of your infection and plan your treatment. Your dentist will then administer a local anesthetic to numb the area before beginning the dental procedure.

2
Access Point:

The dentist will drill a tiny hole in your tooth to expose the inner chamber.

3
Remove Pulp:

The dentist removes infected pulp from the inside of the tooth. Our doctors have extensive experience performing root canals and use rotary for faster, more precise pulp extraction.

4
Sealing the Tooth:

After thoroughly cleansing the area, your doctor will seal the hole and make sure that bacteria cannot re-enter the tooth. The next step is to replace the dental pulp with a rubber material called gutta-percha.

5
Crown:

Usually, our doctors will recommend covering the remaining tooth structure with a custom dental crown. After completing your antibiotic routine, you will return to the office to have your crown placed. We use advanced materials to ensure the most long-lasting, natural-looking results.

A Closer Look at Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy involves removing decayed and infected tissue, filling the tooth, and placing a dental crown.

Root canal therapy generally has a high success rate and can save teeth that are severely compromised.
The dentists at our practice will give you detailed instructions on how to care for your teeth following the dental procedure.
We will provide tips on how to…

Recovery and Aftercare

Manage Side Effects

You can expect mild pain, sensitivity, and swelling after your root canal. We typically recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers to mitigate any discomfort you feel in the following day or two.

Take Antibiotics

It is important that you carefully follow the dentist’s instructions for taking antibiotics if they are prescribed. Continue taking your antibiotics even if your symptoms have subsided to completely beat the bacterial build-up.

Protect Restorations

Fillings and dental crowns can be cared for just like natural teeth. Simply practice good dental hygiene by brushing and flossing daily and attend your biannual check-ups. You can prevent dislodging your crown by abstaining from excessively hard and chewy foods.

Put a Stop to the Pain

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Root canal infections don’t go away on their own. Even if the pain subsides, it only means the nerves inside your tooth have died. Infection can still spread from the pulp to the tooth roots, your gums, and into your bloodstream, putting you at risk for serious complications.
A root canal now may save you from needing an extraction later. Follow-up extraction procedures such as placing a dental implant will add to your time in the dentist’s chair, not to mention add to your costs. If fear of pain is holding you back, rest assured that modern root canals performed at our office are virtually painless. Sedation options are available for apprehensive patients.

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