Root Canal Specialist

Crystal Dental of Fresno

General Dentistry & Cosmetic Dentistry located in Fresno, CA

Sharp pain in a tooth is never a sign of something good. If the inner pulp of your tooth is infected or inflamed, you can’t ignore the pain for too long. At Crystal Dental of Fresno in Fresno, California, Diana Correa-Velosa, DDS, and her team perform root canals to remove the dead or inflamed pulp from the inside of your tooth. To find out more about the procedure and if you need it, call Crystal Dental of Fresno or request an appointment online today.

559-380-4333

Root Canal Q&A

What is a root canal?

A root canal treatment, also called endodontics, is a procedure that dentists use to treat the inside pulp of your tooth. The pulp is the innermost layer of soft tissues, including nerves and blood vessels. If you have an issue with the pulp, it can be extremely painful because of its proximity to the nerve.

If your provider discovers that a root canal is necessary for you, the team at Crystal Dental of Fresno starts your treatment right away. They numb your tooth with local anesthesia to keep you comfortable before making a small hole in the tooth. They use tiny instruments and possibly a microscope to remove the dead pulp tissue through the opening. They clean and disinfect the inside of your tooth before filling it with a biocompatible material and sealing the opening with adhesive cement.

Why do I need a root canal?

If the pulp inside your tooth is injured or infected, the team at Crystal Dental of Fresno can treat it with a root canal. These issues can have a variety of causes.

If you get a cavity deep in your tooth and don’t get treatment early enough, the bacteria from the tooth decay can work its way into the pulp and cause an infection.

Another common cause issues requiring a root canal is trauma that occurs to the tooth. Bacteria can seep in through chips or cracks, but the tooth’s structure doesn’t have to be damaged for a problem inside your tooth to develop. A sudden impact or trauma can damage the pulp without causing damage to the tooth itself.

What happens after my root canal?

After your root canal, your tooth might feel more sensitive than usual. However, this doesn’t last for more than a few days. The team may give you over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine to help control the discomfort.

In some cases, a tooth needs a crown to restore its strength after a root canal. If this is the case for you, the team discusses the next steps in your treatment with you.

If the symptoms of your pulp infection return, you might need a root canal retreatment. You should call Crystal Dental of Fresno for an evaluation right away if this happens.

If you suspect that you need a root canal, request an appointment by phone or online today.