Root Canal Specialist
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Pinole Family Dental
Family Dentists located in Pinole, CA
Root canal procedures are rumored to be painful, but Dr. Marc Chhina and Dr. Mandi Chhina want you to know that they’re no more painful than getting a filling. Plus, they can save your teeth from tooth decay and extractions. Don’t hesitate to book an appointment at Pinole Family Dental in Pinole, California today if you need a root canal.
Root Canal Q & A
What is a root canal?
Root canal procedures -- commonly called "root canals" -- repair and save severely infected or decayed teeth. During the procedure, Dr. Marc or Dr. Mandi removes the nerve and pulp from inside the tooth, then cleans and seals it to guard against further infection and decay.
A root canal is the natural canal-like cavity present in the center of the tooth. Within the root canal, there’s a soft area called pulp, and the nerve is present in the center of the pulp. A root canal procedure is necessary when the pulp or nerve suffer severe inflammation or infection.
What does a root canal involve?
Many patients have heard urban legends about root canal procedures, but with the help of sedation dentistry, they aren’t as bad as you think.
First, you will have to make more than one office visit. During the first visit, Dr. Marc or Dr. Mandi takes X-rays to look at the detailed shape of the root canal and for signs of infection. If they detect a severe infection or inflammation, they recommend a root canal procedure and schedule your next appointment.
During your second appointment, your dentist numbs the area with a local anesthetic. Stronger sedation methods are also available if you feel it’s necessary.
After administering anesthesia, your dentist places a rubber dam around the tooth so that the area remains dry during the procedure. Next, they drill an access hole into the tooth, locate the root canal through the hole, and remove the pulp and debris.
Finally, your dentist thoroughly cleans the area, shapes the root canal using a metal file, and then fills the root canal with a rubber material called gutta percha to protect the canal from re-infection. They also repair the hole with a filling or permanent crown.
What happens if I don’t get a root canal?
Without a root canal procedure, an abscess may form in the tissue surrounding the tooth. At that point, you risk having to get a tooth -- or multiple teeth, depending on how many are affected -- extracted and replaced with an implant.
That can turn out to be quite expensive and painful. Opting for a root canal ultimately saves you time, money, and pain.
