Root Canal

An infected or damaged tooth can be a big risk for your health. That vulnerable inner tissue (the pulp) can become inflamed or infected, which leads to a variety of problems. Professional root canal treatment at Glendora Family Dentistry means giving your smile a second chance and seeing immense symptom relief.

Table of Contents

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal treatment clears out the inner part of a tooth. This bundle of nerves and blood vessels plays a vital role in the tooth’s growth. However, it can pose an issue if exposed to bacteria. Fortunately, you can have it cleared away without harming the health of the tooth. In fact, a root canal’s main purpose is to preserve your tooth’s health. If you have a dental abscess or severely damaged tooth, we can even offer same-day appointments for rapid treatment.

Benefits of a Root Canal

Save a tooth from dying
Alleviate painful symptoms
Preserve overall oral health
Pain-free treatment
Prevent an infection from spreading
Restore the appearance of a tooth

Root Canal Treatment Overview

Root canal treatment counts as a routine procedure. It might have an imposing reputation, but in truth, the procedure takes less than an hour and feels quite mild. A typical treatment involves four key steps:

Anesthetic: We numb the treatment area to prevent any pain. In cases when patients have dental anxiety, we can also provide mild sedation options.
Clearing Out: Your dentist will access the inner part of the tooth and clear out all the inner tissue. We also will remove any decayed parts of the tooth and fully sanitize it.
Filling: We place a material called gutta-percha within the tooth to restore its stability. This material will fill the space where the cleared-out pulp once resided.
Sealing: We seal the tooth with a filling-like material or a dental crown. The type required will depend on the extent of damage to the tooth.

Root Canal FAQs

Is a root canal painful?

It has been many years since a root canal was painful. Though many people grew up with films and TV that overhyped this treatment, the truth is that it feels almost the same as a routine filling. Careful use of anesthetic ensures the entire treatment area remains numb from start to finish.

However, you may feel some soreness after treatment. Still, this should stay mild and resolve within a day or two. If it feels uncomfortable, patients can manage it with OTC pain relievers (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen). Otherwise, you most likely will only notice how much better your tooth feels with the infection gone.

How long do root canal results last?

A root canal can provide lasting stability for a tooth for years. The more skilled your dentist is, the more likely they can provide long-lasting results. Additionally, the type of restoration will influence how long the results last. While a filling means more of your tooth remains, the material can wear away over time. Patients may need the filling replaced after 7 to 20 years, depending on the material used and individual factors. Dental crowns tend to last longer, but we reserve the use of them for cases when most of the tooth is damaged.

When do I need a root canal?

The only sure way to know you need a root canal is to visit your dentist. While many patients may have extremely painful symptoms, others might not notice anything yet. It depends on the stage of the infection or the type of damage to the tooth. Some signs that point to needing a root canal can include:

Severe tooth pain
Swollen or discolored gums
Bleeding gums
Sudden sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
Notable breaks or cracks in the tooth

Timely treatment can save a tooth. But waiting too long can put your oral health in jeopardy. When in doubt, a quick visit is always a good idea. Call our office to set up an exam.

What are alternative treatments?

Not all cases of damaged teeth will require a root canal. At the same time, if an infection or decay progresses too far, more involved treatment may be required.

Dental Filling: Fillings can treat milder cases of decay. Namely, fillings treat cavities, which are small pockets where decay has eaten away at a tooth.
Tooth Extraction: In more severe cases, you may need to have your tooth pulled. We always reserve extraction for cases when no other restorative option could prove viable. Fortunately, patients have several options for replacing an extracted tooth.

What is the recovery time after a root canal?

In the majority of cases, root canal therapy recovery takes 5 to 10 days. During the first 2 to 4 days, you may experience slight soreness or swelling at the procedure site. Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks can remain for 5 to 7 days after the procedure and typically fully subsides by the end of the recovery period.

To help your recovery go smoother and faster, we recommend avoiding chewing food on the procedure side of your mouth for a couple of days and avoiding very hot or cold foods and drinks. Also, you should maintain a good oral hygiene routine, be gentle when cleaning at the procedure site, and abstain from smoking, alcohol, and strenuous physical activity for the duration of your recovery.

Do you offer same-day or emergency root canal treatment?

We do offer same-day and emergency root canal treatment. If you have symptoms such as a severe toothache and swelling around the aching tooth, do not hesitate to contact our office at 626-427-6236, and we will do our best to schedule your appointment as soon as possible.

Is a root canal covered by insurance?

Most dental insurance plans cover root canal therapy as this procedure is considered a medical necessity in the majority of cases. Your insurance company is likely to cover 50% to 80% of the total procedure cost, but the amount can also depend on the specifications of your plan, deductibles, and your yearly maximum.

What should I do before and after a root canal?

We recommend having a full night’s rest before your treatment to help your body begin recovery immediately after the procedure. Additionally, opt for having a full meal before heading to the dental office, as you will not be able to eat for several hours after the procedure.

To make sure that your root canal recovery goes smoothly, we recommend adhering to these rules after the procedure:

Abstain from eating anything before the local anesthetic wears off completely to avoid biting too hard on the newly treated tooth or biting soft tissue in your mouth.
Ensure you have plenty of rest and avoid strenuous physical activity for the duration of your recovery.
Abstain from smoking and alcohol, as they significantly slow down regeneration.
Switch to soft foods for 4 to 7 days and avoid chewing on the procedure side of your mouth.
Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth thoroughly, but be gentle when cleaning at the procedure site.
Contact your dentist immediately if you experience sharp or persistent pain that becomes worse with time.

What happens if I delay or avoid a root canal?

In the vast majority of cases, root canal therapy is used to save severely infected teeth from extraction. Once a tooth becomes infected, it can not heal on its own, and the untreated infection will continue to spread further and might affect surrounding gum and bone tissue and neighboring teeth. Additionally, infections in the mouth may negatively affect your general health. Treating an extensive infection or replacing the extracted tooth with a bridge or an implant can take much more time and be considerably more expensive than undergoing root canal therapy in time.

Schedule Your Appointment

Fill out our appointment form to get in touch and set up your visit. In emergency cases, you can directly call our office for same-day root canal treatment in Glendora.