Root Canals

A root canal isn’t nearly as bad as you think. Movies and TV have given them a bad reputation, when in fact, the real pain stems from the infected tooth that necessitates the root canal in the first place. At Orangecrest Family Dental Practice, Sheida Mohammadizadeh, DDS, administers gentle and effective root canal treatments to help get her patients out of pain and feeling better again. To learn more, schedule an appointment with their offices in Riverside, California, by calling the offices or booking online.

Root Canals Q & A

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a treatment to salvage an infected tooth. It involves removing your tooth’s “pulp,” which is the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues that make up the inside of your tooth. Your pulp can become infected from tooth decay or damage, and when it does, it gets inflamed. When your pulp gets inflamed, it swells and pinches the nerves inside your tooth, which causes immense pain. Despite what movies and TV shows will tell you, a root canal is actually not a very painful procedure and actually provides immense relief from the severe pain of an infected tooth.

Do I need a root canal?

If you have an infected tooth root, then you definitely need a root canal. Your tooth might be infected if it’s:

Painful
Discolored
More sensitive to hot or cold temperatures

Additionally, your tooth might be infected if the gum tissue around it is swollen, inflamed, or tender, or if there’s a small, pus-filled pocket or pimple on your gums. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment immediately with Dr. Mohammadizadeh. An infected tooth only gets worse when left untreated, and can actually lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and further infection of nearby teeth.

What happens during a root canal?

When you come in for a root canal, Dr. Mohammadizadeh takes X-rays of your mouth to assess the extent of the infection and to use as a roadmap during the procedure. She then numbs your tooth and the surrounding tissue, and isolates the tooth with a rubber sheet called a “dental dam.” Once your tooth is prepared, she drills a small hole in the top to gain access to your tooth’s root. She then extracts the damaged tissue through the hole using a series of small files. After she removes all of the damaged tissue, she sterilizes the inner chamber, sometimes applying an antibiotic to eradicate all traces of infection. Finally, she seals up your inner tooth with a rubbery compound called “gutta-percha” and fills the access hole she drilled in the top. You’ll come back later for another appointment where Dr. Mohammadizadeh will restore the strength and function of your tooth by fitting you with a crown. If you’re suffering from an infected tooth, it’s only going to get worse. Stop waiting around and start fixing it by scheduling a root canal consultation with Dr. Mohammadizadeh and the team at Orangecrest Family Dental Practice. You can book your visit by calling the office or scheduling online.

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Root Canals

Root Canals Q & A

What is a root canal?

Do I need a root canal?

What happens during a root canal?

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