The process of root canal treatment can be confusing and often frightening. Root canals have long been the punch-line of jokes or the plot of a horror story told by friends or coworkers. This horror is not from the root canal procedure itself, but from the pain of a toothache. A toothache can sometimes mean that root canal treatment is needed. Dr. Q knows and understands these fears and concerns. Rest assured that Dr. Q and her highly trained staff will create a safe and comfortable environment for you if you find yourself in need of root canal treatment. She has been treating the Monrovia community’s root canal needs for over a decade.
What Is A Root Canal?
Feeling more comfortable with a dental procedure is often as simple as just understanding how the process works. A root canal is a process where the nerve is removed or “cleaned out”. Each tooth has a nerve that runs through the middle of it and down a canal within each root. Some teeth have one root with one canal and other teeth (such as molars) can have two, three, or even four roots, each with its own canal to be cleaned out. The nerve is removed because it has been damaged or is dying due to reasons such as tooth decay or “cavities” and even trauma. It is important that the nerve is removed to preserve the tooth and to minimize discomfort.
What To Expect During A Root Canal
When a root canal is started the tooth is made numb. This will allow Dr. Q to complete the work with little to no discomfort to you. An access or opening is made into the tooth, just as it would be for a filling. Once the doctor locates the nerve in each canal it is carefully and completely removed, removing any nutrition for remaining bacteria that may be in the area. This may require more than one visit and you may leave your initial visit with a sedative filling to help relieve any discomfort that you came in with. If this is the case, you will be scheduled to return to the office again to complete treatment.
Once the nerves are removed from each canal, Dr. Q will flush and dry the canal out completely. This will allow for each canal to be filled with a plastic-like epoxy material that will fill each canal keeping out any harmful bacteria. Once the canals are filled, the tooth will be closed with a filling like material. This material may be the same or similar as the material used when a cavity is filled. At this point, your root canal will be complete, but the tooth will require a crown be made to give it additional strength for a long future.
While any unknown or first-time dental treatment can be scary for anyone, Dr. Q wants you to understand the process and understand that she is committed to your comfort in all procedures.
If you or someone you know has a toothache, Dr. Q would be happy to evaluate your needs and relieve you of any discomfort. Her caring staff is ready to take your call at (626) 599-9819.
