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(408) 720-0900   •   (877) 9 Dental 25x25

Nasser Antonious, DDS, MAGD, FICOI
Master of the Academy of General Dentistry
Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists

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Sunnyvale Root Canal Dentist
 
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What is a Root Canal Treatment?

25x25 arrow Introduction
arrow How to recognize a Root Canal problem?
arrow What can damage the dental pulp?
arrow Why choose Root Canal Treatment?
arrow What to Expect after Root Canal Treatment?
arrow What is the Success Rate of Root Canal Treatment?
 

Introduction

Root canal is the natural cavity within the center of the tooth. The pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the root canal. The tooth's nerve lies in the middle of the root canal. Root canal treatment is a frequently performed dental procedure to treat a tooth with infected or dead pulp tissue or when the tooth is badly decayed. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and the infected pulp tissues are removed then the inside of the tooth which is called pulp chamber is cleaned and shaped and then finally sealed with filling.

How to recognize a Root Canal problem?

A diseased tooth's pulp may cause inflammation or infected. Some indications that a tooth may need a root canal treatment are:

  • Sensitivity to heat
  • Sensitivity to cold that lasts longer than a couple of seconds
  • Significant pain when biting or chewing
  • Loosening of the tooth
  • Swelling of the gum near the affected tooth
  • Facial swelling
  • A discolored tooth, with or without pain
  • A broken tooth

What can damage the dental pulp?

  • Dental decay that is untreated or deep-seated
  • Decay underneath a deep filling
  • Habitual tooth grinding
  • Advanced gum disease
  • A tooth injury that creates an abscess in the bone

An untreated cavity is a common cause of pulp infection. The decay erodes the enamel and dentin of the tooth until it opens into the root canal system. It allows bacteria to infect the pulp. Infections inside the teeth do not respond to antibiotic treatment very well. The inflammation caused by the infection restricts the tooth's blood supply, so antibiotics in the bloodstream can hardly reach the infection. The reduced blood supply also limits the pulp's ability to heal itself.

Why choose Root Canal Treatment?

The root canal treatment is the last possible option to save your own teeth. Keeping your natural teeth also helps you to avoid more expensive and comprehensive treatments, such as implants. It is always better to keep your natural teeth if at all possible.

If you have an infection of the pulp, you may not feel any pain at first. But if it left untreated, the infection will cause pain and swelling. In some cases, an abscess will form. Eventually, the tooth may need to be extracted. If a tooth is missing, the teeth next to it can drift out of line and can become overstressed. If an infected or traumatic tooth that needs root canal treatment is ignored, not only can you lose the tooth, but also the infection can spread to other parts of your body.

What to Expect after Root Canal Treatment?

For the first few days after the completed Root Canal Re-treatment, the tooth may feel sensitive due to natural tissue inflammation. Especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This sensitivity or discomfort usually can be controlled with painkillers. Most patients can return to their normal activities the next day. Until your root canal procedure is completely finished you should minimize chewing on the tooth under repair. This step will help avoid recontamination of the interior of the tooth and also may prevent a fragile tooth from breaking before the tooth can be fully restored. As far as oral health care is concerned, brush and floss as you regularly would and see your dentist at normally scheduled intervals.

What is the Success Rate of Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is highly successful. The procedure has more than a 96% success rate. Most root canal treated teeth will last as long as you own permanent teeth. Also, because the final step of the root canal procedure is application of a restoration such as a crown or a filling, it will not be obvious that a root canal was performed. Although the pulp is removed your tooth remains alive, nourished by surrounding tissues.


   
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Emergency Root Canal Treatment in Sunnyvale
25x25    
arrow What is a Root Canal Treatment?
arrow Root Canal Treatment-What to Expect
arrow Root Canal Treatment
arrow Root Canal Retreatment
arrow Root Canal Treatment-Periapical Abscess
arrow Root Canal Treatment-Cracked Teeth
  arrow What is Apicoectomy?
  arrow Root Canal Treatment-Hemisection
  arrow Endodontic Treatments for Traumatic Injuries
  arrow Root Canal Treatment versus Tooth Extraction
  arrow Root Canal Treatment versus Implants
  arrow Myths About Root Canals
  arrow Root Canal Frequently Asked Questions
  arrow Root Canal Post-Operative Instructions
     
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What is a Root Canal Treatment?   |   Root Canal Treatment-What to Expect   |    Root Canal Treatment   |   Root Canal Retreatment  
Root Canal Treatment-Periapical Abscess    |  Root Canal Treatment-Cracked Teeth   |  What is Apicoectomy?  |  Root Canal Treatment-Hemisection
Endodontic Treatments for Traumatic Injuries   |   Root Canal Treatment versus Tooth Extraction   |  Root Canal Treatment versus Implants
Myths About Root Canals   |   Root Canal Frequently Asked Questions   |    Root Canal Post-Operative Instructions

Nasser Antonious DDS is licensed as a general dentist in California. Sunnyvale Dental Care established since 1995
Sunnyvale dentist, Nasser Antonious DDS welcomes new patients from all areas including Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Campbell, San Jose, Saratoga, Los Altos, and Los Gatos
General dentist, Preventive dentist, Cosmetic dentist, Invisalign dentist, Implant dentist, Children dentist, Sedation dentist

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