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(310)424-3100Root Canal Therapy - Torrance, CA
Repairing Your Smile
The reputation that precedes root canals is not great. You may have said, “I’d rather have a root canal…” to indicate how very little you would enjoy an activity. If you do need a root canal, however, we have good news - the rumors about them being painful aren’t true! Actually, root canals can significantly relieve pain. Let the Blue Coast Dental Group change your mind about root canals. We offer root canal therapy to restore oral health, relieve pain, and save a tooth that may otherwise need to be extracted. Keep reading or contact our team to find out more today.
Why You Might Need a Root Canal
Root canals or root canal therapy are procedures recommended for patients who experience tooth decay or damage that involve the innermost layer of the tooth called the pulp. Because the nerve system is housed within the pulp, patients in need of a root canal often experience severe pain or dental sensitivity. The only way to know for sure that you need a root canal is to visit your trusted dentist. However, some of the warning signs of a need for root canal therapy include:
- Severe toothache - either sharp pain when biting down or a dull ache, on some occasions both
- Dental sensitivity - lingering discomfort after the exposure to hot or cold foods and beverages that does not abate quickly, especially if you do not typically have sensitive teeth
- Darkening of one tooth- usually near the gum line
- Infection, sores, or inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding one particular tooth
The Root Canal Process
A root canal is actually a relatively straightforward procedure. To ensure complete comfort, we numb the area around the damaged tooth. Then, we create a small access hole from the top of the tooth into the pulp layer. We carefully extract all the pulp and nerve tissue through the access hole and debride (clean out) the inside of the tooth. Next, we refill the prepared tooth with a biologically similar substance called gutta percha. We then reseal the access hole using a composite filling material. In most cases, we also place a dental crown over the top of a root canal treated tooth. This strengthens and protects the tooth to prevent any further damage or decay.
The Importance of Preventive Care
In most cases, we see patients needing root canals on an emergency basis because an injury has damaged their teeth or a lack of preventive care has led to severe decay. Fortunately, most root canals can be prevented with improved oral hygiene. That means better daily brushing and flossing routines at-home as well as visiting your Torrance dentist at least every six months.