Root Canal Treatment Santa Maria, CA
If you are experiencing severe and persistent tooth pain, root canal treatment may be necessary to remove the infected pulp. A root canal can save a person’s natural tooth from extraction and relieve dental pain. This specialized treatment is a safe and effective way to improve your oral and overall health.
Wilson Oral Surgery is an oral surgery practice serving Santa Maria and the surrounding area. Our team can help determine whether a root canal can save your tooth. Call us today at (805) 910-1213 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
About Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is a common type of oral surgery that saves infected teeth. Approximately 15 million root canals are performed in the United States each year. This dental surgery deals with the inside of the tooth, including the dental pulp. The dental pulp is the soft tissue that consists of blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves. It extends from the tooth’s crown to the tips of the roots, where it connects to the tissues that surround the root. Dental pulp is important for a tooth’s growth and development. However, once the tooth is fully mature, it can survive and receive the nutrients it needs without the pulp.
When the dental pulp becomes inflamed or infected, a root canal is necessary to save a person’s natural tooth from extraction. During a root canal procedure, our oral surgeon will remove the infected or inflamed pulp from the pulp chamber, then refill the root canal to prevent further damage. While a regular dentist can also perform simple oral surgeries such as root canals, an oral surgeon has expertise in surgeries involving the mouth in addition to more frequent experience with surgical complications.
“The infected or inflamed pulp is removed from the pulp chamber and root canals during a root canal procedure and is refilled to prevent further damage.”
Root Canal Benefits
If a person has an infected or damaged tooth pulp, there are many benefits to receiving a root canal. A root canal can remove the bacteria and damaged tissue from a patient’s root canals and save the tooth from extraction. Saving the tooth from extraction allows patients to keep their natural smiles to continue functioning properly and maintain their overall health. A root canal to save a tooth is more beneficial than extracting a tooth because nothing looks, feels, or functions as well as a natural tooth. Root canal treatment is not painful and can prevent patients from experiencing painful symptoms resulting from an inflamed or infected pulp. The root canal procedure will help to relieve pain, allowing patients to achieve lasting relief. Ignoring the problem will only worsen the situation until tooth damage becomes so severe that an extraction is necessary.
If a tooth is causing severe and persistent pain due to damaged dental pulp, speak to an oral surgeon about root canal treatment before considering tooth extraction. While people may believe extracting a tooth is easier and more cost-effective, this is untrue. A missing tooth can cause the surrounding teeth to shift out of their natural place, affecting their ability to function properly, the appearance of one’s teeth, and even one’s facial structure. Additionally, in many cases, tooth extraction is more painful than a root canal. Removing a tooth will also require people to get a replacement tooth and additional dental visits which can add up quickly. Root canal treatment offers patients the ability to save their natural teeth and improve current and future dental health.
“A root canal to save a tooth is more beneficial than extracting a tooth because nothing looks, feels, or functions as well as a natural tooth.”
Reasons to Have a Root Canal
Root canal treatment is necessary when the dental pulp inside the root canal gets infected or inflamed. The infected or inflamed dental pulp may occur due to trauma or damage from repeated dental procedures, injury, or cracks or chips in a tooth. Without treatment, the pulp inflammation or infection can lead to severe pain or abscess. An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms when bacteria invade the dental pulp, which contains blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerves. An abscess requires prompt treatment to prevent serious and sometimes life-threatening complications. Signs that a person may require a root canal include:
- Chipped or cracked tooth: People with a chipped or cracked tooth may need root canal treatment if bacteria invade the tooth and cause inflammation and infection. This type of tooth damage can also damage the nerves and cause pain and sensitivity.
- Loose tooth: An infected tooth may also feel looser. The resulting acidic products from nerve death can damage the bone around the root of a damaged tooth and allow it to move.
- Persistent pain: Tooth pain may persist without waning or disappear and return. People may feel pain deep in the bone of their teeth or in their face, jaw, or surrounding teeth.
- Sensitivity to heat or cold: People may experience tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking hot or cold foods or beverages. This feeling may indicate that the blood vessels or nerves in a tooth are damaged or infected.
- Swollen gums: If a person has swollen gums next to a painful tooth, it can also be a sign that a root canal may be necessary. Dead pulp tissue can create acidic waste that causes swelling outside a tooth’s root tip.
- Tooth discoloration: Infected tooth pulp can also cause a tooth to become discolored. Damaged internal tissue can result in the tooth changing to black or gray color.
- Tooth pain when eating: A tooth that is sensitive when touched may indicate nerve damage or decay. Waste products from the dying dental pulp can irritate the ligament around the tooth’s root tip, which causes pain from biting pressure.
The only way to truly know whether a root canal can help is by seeking professional care. The earlier patients receive treatment, the better their outcomes will be. Our oral surgeon will be able to identify the symptoms and treat the source of the pain.
“Infected or inflamed dental pulp may occur due to trauma or damage from repeated dental procedures, injury, or cracks or chips in a tooth.”
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The Treatment Process
The first step of the root canal treatment process is examining the tooth to understand the problem and determine the appropriate treatment plan. We will examine the inside of a patient’s mouth and take X-rays to get a better view of their pulp chamber. Before the oral surgeon begins the root canal, we will administer local anesthetics to numb the treatment site and help patients remain relaxed and comfortable. We will also place a dental dam to isolate the treatment site and prevent saliva, bacteria, or debris from contaminating the area.
Afterward, the oral surgeon will drill into the tooth’s crown to get access to the root canal. Next, the oral surgeon will use specialized dental instruments to enter the dental pulp chamber and root canals to clean out the inflamed or infected pulp. After removing the damaged pulp, we will clean the remaining space to make room for a filling that replaces the pulp. The filling will consist of a suitable biocompatible material. Afterwards, the oral surgeon will use an adhesive dental cement to seal the root canal and prevent future infections from damaging the tooth. Eventually, patients will need a crown placed over the tooth to protect it long-term.
“Next, specialized dental instruments go into the dental pulp chamber and root canals to clean out the inflamed or infected pulp.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is root canal treatment?
Q. What are the benefits of receiving root canal treatment?
Q. What are some signs that a root canal may be necessary?
Q. What is the root canal treatment process?
Q. What aftercare instructions should patients follow after root canal treatment?
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Root Canal Aftercare
It is normal for a treated tooth to feel sensitive after root canal treatment. Once the numbing sensation from local anesthetics wears off a few hours after the procedure, patients will begin to feel some tenderness and mild jaw soreness from keeping their mouths open for an extended period. This discomfort is temporary and should only last for a few days. Patients should wait until the numbness in their mouths completely disappears before eating to avoid biting their cheek or tongue. Patients can manage their discomfort using over-the-counter or prescription pain medication. The treated tooth may continue to feel different than other teeth for some time after the procedure. However, patients who experience severe pain or pressure that persists for more than a few days should contact our office.
Following all aftercare instructions is crucial for a smooth healing process. Patients should avoid chewing or biting down on treated teeth until the restoration process is complete following a root canal. Brushing and flossing daily to keep the mouth clean and avoid infection is still important. Our oral surgeon will also recommend treatment techniques to continue at home to further oral health, including regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Proper oral hygiene and maintenance can help a treated and restored tooth last for a lifetime. However, if pain or swelling occurs in the future, be sure to contact our team.
“Following all aftercare instructions is crucial for a smooth healing process.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What happens if my root canal fails?
A. While a majority of root canals are successful, they can fail for several reasons. For example, a root canal can fail due to insufficient canal cleaning, crown or sealant breakdown, or anything that allows the root to become infected. If a root canal fails, several options are available, such as a root canal retreatment or an apicoectomy.
Q. What can I do to avoid having another root canal in the future?
A. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is a great way to avoid tooth decay and prevent the need for another root canal in the future. We also recommend avoiding sugary and acidic foods and beverages to prevent decay. Patients should also schedule regular dental check-ups.
Q. Do I still need a root canal if my tooth is not bothering me?
A. Some patients who need a root canal may experience no pain or pain that goes away on its own. However, even a tooth that is not painful may still have an infection that requires treatment. Our team can examine a patient’s tooth to determine whether root canal treatment is necessary.
Q. How long does it take to receive root canal treatment?
A. The length of time it takes to receive a root canal depends on the severity of the situation, the type of tooth receiving treatment, the number of root canals needed, and whether treatment occurs over one or two appointments. If a patient receives treatment over two appointments, the first session will involve cleaning and shaping the inner tooth tissue. The second session may occur one to three weeks following the first one and involves filling and sealing the inner canal. A single root canal appointment may last between 90 minutes to three hours.
Q. Will a root canal weaken my tooth?
A. Yes, root canal treatment can weaken a tooth’s overall structure since it involves removing the inner section. However, the treated tooth will receive a dental restoration like an onlay or crown to reinforce the structure. Our team will provide patients with the treatment to ensure tooth strength following root canal treatment.
Start Feeling Better – Visit Us Today
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
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Call Us Today
Root canal treatment can remove the infected or inflamed dental pulp and save a natural tooth from extraction. Our team at Wilson Oral Surgery can help resolve your dental pain and restore your mouth’s functioning. Call us today at (805) 910-1213 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2023
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2023
- American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics. American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics. 2023
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. 2023
- American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2023
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). National Cancer Institute (NCI). 2023
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2023
About our business, license, and website security
- Wilson Oral Surgery was established in 1990.
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- We serve patients from the following counties: Santa Barbara County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Santa Maria, Nipomo, Orcutt, Betteravia, Garey, Los Alamos, and Guadalupe
- CA (License #53295). View License Information and Specifics
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