Root Canal Treatment in La Jolla, CA
Tooth pain is one of the most uncomfortable and painful conditions a person may ever deal with. One of the best ways to treat the cause of that tooth pain and minimize the amount of discomfort you feel is through root canal therapy, which can be incredibly effective when done correctly by an experienced La Jolla, CA dentist. At Harmony Dental Group, we offer gentle root canal treatments to keep you smiling and healthy.
Be proud of your smile
Save your natural tooth
Root canal treatment is a highly effective procedure in modern dentistry to save your teeth from further infection and tooth extraction.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a form of dental treatment that can help prevent a dying or abscessed tooth from being removed. Root canal therapy (endodontic treatment) is used to treat infections or injuries in the pulp tissue in the middle of a tooth. This is usually an infection such as an abscess, and it’s most often caused by untreated decay, deep cracks, or injury to the teeth.
If left untreated, the pulp tissue will die or develop an abscess and cause significant pain. Our La Jolla dentist will remove all the infected tissues and clean and shape the inside of the root to seal out any new bacterial infections.
An endodontic procedure typically takes one hour to ninety minutes to complete depending on which tooth is affected.
Signs and Symptoms That You May Need a Root Canal
Rather than fillings or crowns, which repair the outermost layers of teeth, root canal treatments are needed when the nerve becomes involved. Root canals may be required when a tooth has an abscess or is severely cracked or broken. Common scenarios where root canals are needed include:
- Severe tooth pain
- Traumatic injuries
- Hypersensitivity to hot temperatures
- Abscessed teeth
- Deep areas of tooth decay
- Cracks that extend into the tooth root
Our La Jolla dentist will use an X-ray to assess the areas inside and around your tooth root to screen for cysts, abscesses, or internal tooth damage.
Advantages of Root Canal Therapy:
- Ability to save tooth vs. tooth extraction
- Relieve toothache
- Prevent infection from spreading to bone or neighboring teeth
How Does Root Canal Treatment Work?
Root canal treatment involves removing most of the pulp from inside your tooth and then sealing it off to prevent reinfection. The procedure is like a filling that extends into the root of the tooth rather than one that’s limited to the upper portion of your tooth anatomy.
A crown is almost always placed over your endodontically treated tooth to protect it. Because endodontically treated are no longer vital (alive,) they tend to become more brittle over time. The crown will help reinforce the remaining tooth structure so that you can bite and chew normally.
If you’re unsure whether you need a root canal, contact Harmony Dental Group to schedule a consultation with our team. We’ll examine your teeth, take x-rays, and determine the best course of treatment for your condition.
Do Root Canals Hurt?
It is a common misconception that root canal treatment hurts. The reality is that root canals help relieve the source of your tooth pain rather than cause additional discomfort. In fact, root canal treatment is like any routine dental treatment. The teeth are numbed with a local anesthetic beforehand so that you won’t have to feel anything more than a little pressure. Additional local anesthetic can be used if your tooth feels sensitive.
Because abscessed teeth can interfere with local anesthetic’s ability to work properly, our La Jolla dentist may prescribe an antibiotic for you to take leading up to your appointment. The antibiotic will reduce any swelling or drainage so that numbing medications work more effectively. Just remember that the antibiotic will not prevent any reinfection, so a root canal will still be required.
Additionally, sedation may also be available upon request to help you relax as best as possible.
Root Canal Aftercare
After root canal treatment, your mouth might be slightly sensitive where the local anesthetic was injected or from having your tooth gently propped open for an extended period of time. The good news is that endodontic treatment removes the infected nerve, so your tooth can no longer transmit pain or sensitivity sensations.
To prevent any recurring decay or damage to your treated tooth, floss and brush around it daily and schedule regular checkups. A protective crown will help reduce any accelerated wear or breakage in your enamel since the tooth will be more brittle than normal.
Do you think you might need a root canal?
Schedule a free consultation today at Harmony Dental Group.
Importance of Root Canals
A root canal is a procedure that removes the infected pulp from a tooth to prevent the complete extraction of that tooth. The pulp contains nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. A cavity can cause an abscessed tooth which would require endodontic treatment to remove it. With no treatment, an abscessed tooth can continue to spread infection throughout the mouth and face and could even lead to a medical emergency. For this reason, it’s important to have your teeth checked by a dentist regularly.
Even if your tooth doesn’t hurt, you might need a root canal. Because the nerve of your tooth is compromised, it may not relay symptoms properly. You could have a severe infection or dying tooth without ever feeling a thing.
Root Canal Prevention
To prevent a root canal, it’s essential to treat any cavities early while they are still small. Minimally invasive restorations such as fillings can prevent the spread of decay and infection. Without treatment, the condition will only get worse and eventually lead to an abscessed tooth, which would then require root canal treatment.
Cost of Root Canal Treatment
A root canal treatment costs as much as a crown or bridge but can save you thousands of dollars in added fees related to an extraction and future tooth replacement. Especially considering that an endodontically-treated tooth can last for decades after the procedure. A root canal is your tooth’s last hope of avoiding an extraction. Depending on which tooth needs treatment and the number of roots it has, a typical root canal costs anywhere between $500 to $1500. To reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, we will work with your insurance carrier to maximize the benefits you have available. Payment plans are also available.
[CITYNAME] Root Canal Procedure
If you have a severe toothache or visible abscess, you may need a root canal. Call our La Jolla, CA dentist today to discuss endodontic treatment at Harmony Dental Group. We’ll be happy to answer any questions that you have.
Questions Answered on This Page
- What is a Root Canal?
- Signs and Symptoms That You May Need a Root Canal
- How Does Root Canal Treatment Work?
- Do Root Canals Hurt?
- Root Canal Aftercare
- Importance of Root Canals
- Root Canal Prevention
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
In some cases, requires two appointments; one appointment to identify the need for the root canal, and one appointment to carry out the treatment. This does occur sometimes, but not always; a root canal can be finished in one visit when possible. It is always our goal to get our patients out of pain or discomfort as quickly as possible.
The only other option is to remove it – though it is always better to preserve the natural tooth rather than remove it.
Root canals are needed when the tooth has sustained a large amount of damage or decay. To avoid it, be sure to keep up with brushing and flossing twice daily, as well as your regular dental check-up and cleanings. Avoid sugary and acidic foods and beverages. If you play contact sports, always ensure that you wear a mouthguard.
Definition of common root canal terminology
Dental Pulp: Dental pulp is the innermost layer of your tooth that contains the nerves and blood vessels.
Tooth Enamel: Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth. This tough shell is the hardest tissue in the human body.
Tooth decay: Tooth decay is the breakdown of teeth due to acids produced by bacteria.
Cavity: A cavity is a hole in a tooth that develops from tooth decay.
Root : Tooth structure found below the bone that holds the tooth in place.
Endodontist: Endodontists are highly skilled dental specialists in diagnosing and treating tooth pain and performing root canal treatment.
Endodontic Treatment (Root canal treatment) : The term endodontic treatment covers all aspects of repair and treatment of a tooth in which the pulp (the inner area of teeth) has been either damaged or exposed.
Crown: A dental crown is a custom-made, permanent restoration that replaces the top part of the tooth.
The Harmony Dental Group Experience
- Pain free treatments
- Friendly and Caring Staff
- Affordable Financing Options
- Same-day appointment for emergencies
Hear From Our Patients
Farnaz is the best, no doubt! I’ve been seeing her for at least 15 years and she’s always amazing and fun to be with. She’ll treat you more like a family member than just a customer. Her office is constantly keeping up with latest dental technology and innovations. Her experience is superb! She’s just a natural perfectionist when it comes to dental work. She’ll make sure you have a perfect smile any time you’re in her office. Her dental hygienist is awesome and very meticulous. Her staff are friendly, courteous and super helpful! 101% satisfaction guarantee!
Dr. Farid is such a motherly dentist and very competent dentist! I had an excellent service with her and she explains well what needs to be done. I follow her advice. The Harmony Dental Group is LIT! GOAT! Dr. Amin is very nice human and accommodating with my dental questions. Their hygienist, Kimia, is very friendly. Berenise was very patient with me on explaining how much would my visit costs and on how much would the insurance can cover! Such a friendly dental team. I will go back. ^_^
My wife referred me to Dr. Farid. An old crown popped off over the weekend while I was flossing. I called the office Monday at 9am. Instantly made an appointment for that afternoon. Dr. Farid and her staff were friendly and accommodating. She did a quick x-ray and exam to make sure nothing else had broken.The crown was glued back in place during a relatively painfree procedure that only lasted about 10 minutes. Parking validated! Love Harmony Dental.
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The first step to a healthy mouth and the smile of your dreams
About our Dentistry
- CA (License #12035). View License Information
- Insurance: We work with most insurance providers including all PPO’s and Medicare
- No Insurance? No problem call (858) 550-8000 for more information
- Financing Options: We offer a wide range of dental financing options
- We serve patients from the following counties: San Diego
- We serve patients from the following cities: La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Del Mar, San Diego, University City and Clairmont
- Have Questions? Please feel free to contact us at (858) 550-8000
Helpful links: WebMD (Root Canal Therapy) | ADA (Glossary of Dental Terms)
