Root canal therapy saves infected or damaged teeth by removing diseased pulp tissue while preserving the natural tooth structure. Modern techniques make this treatment comfortable and highly successful.
X-rays are taken to assess the extent of infection and plan the treatment approach.
Local anesthetic ensures complete numbness. A small opening is made in the crown to access the pulp chamber.
Infected pulp tissue is carefully removed, and the root canals are cleaned, disinfected, and shaped for filling.
Canals are filled with biocompatible material and sealed. A temporary filling closes the access opening.
A crown is typically placed to restore full function and protect the treated tooth from future damage.
Success Rate: Over 95%
With proper care and a crown restoration, root canal-treated teeth can last a lifetime. Regular checkups ensure long-term success.
Truth: Modern anesthesia and techniques make root canal treatment no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. The procedure actually relieves the severe pain caused by infection.
Truth: Preserving your natural tooth is always preferable. Extraction leads to additional complications and costs for replacement options.
Truth: This outdated claim has been thoroughly debunked by modern research. Root canals are safe and prevent the spread of infection.
Don't let tooth pain control your life. Early treatment increases success rates and preserves your natural smile.
Your teeth are incredibly detailed structures. On the inside of each is a channel that’s called your root canal. Within the canal is the dental pulp, comprised of nerves and blood vessels. It’s possible that the dental pulp can become diseased or even die off, causing a toothache or an abscess. In the past, extraction was the only option available. Today, however, comfortable, pain-free root canal treatments are available at Ocean Smiles.
Sometimes, there is no apparent cause. Often, though, the pulp of the tooth can become diseased for reasons such as:
The aim of this procedure is to save a tooth that would otherwise require extraction due to disease, decay or injury. By choosing to keep your tooth with root canal treatment, you’ll have more efficient chewing and biting and stronger teeth. Furthermore, it keeps your teeth firmly in place, as opposed to those that might shift out of position due to a space left behind by an extraction.
We recommend beginning the procedure as quickly as possible after it’s been agreed upon as the best way to proceed. First, we’ll access the root canal and clean out any infected or decayed material. After thoroughly disinfecting the area, we’ll seal the canal with a filling. It may be necessary to complete treatment over multiple visits, depending on your situation. If an infection has set in, we can prescribe you antibiotics to take.
As with any medical treatment, root canal treatment may have risks. Since the root canal of the tooth is fine and curved, it can be difficult to clean, so we cannot guarantee success. The root canal’s effects will depend on your situation, including your age, health, healing capacity and more.
It’s also possible that bacteria could enter the tooth and cause a second infection. In such cases, a crown may be ideal to seal off the tooth. On occasion, a root canal may require a second treatment.