Root Canal

Root Canal treatment in Santa Clara

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that is used to treat infections present at the center of a tooth. This branch of dentistry is also called endodontics. The infection treated in root canal treatments is primarily caused by bacteria that live in the mouth and permeate into the tooth.

Even though root canal treatments are feared by most people, with advancements in technology, they have become quite painless.

How does the tooth gets infected and when do you need a Root Canal Treatment?

Infection of the tooth can occur because of three main reasons: tooth decay, a leaky filling or damage because of a fall or any other kind of trauma.

A root canal is almost always recommended as the last resort by your dentist. They are required only with dental x-rays show that your tooth pulp has been damaged because of a bacterial infection. If this is not treated, the pulp will die, allowing the bacteria to spread and cause serious problems.

How is the Root Canal Treatment performed?

The only way to treat the infection in the root canal is to remove the bacteria present in the canal. This can be done in two ways:

• Removing the bacteria from the root canal system (root canal treatment)
• Directly removing the tooth (extraction)
  
  

Extraction is almost always ruled out as dentists recommend you to have as many of your natural teeth as possible.

A root canal treatment usually starts with a local anesthetic that prevents the patient from feeling any pain or discomfort. After this, a hole is drilled through the crown to reach the pulp chamber. The infected pulp and nerves are then removed from the cavity and this is then reshaped to accommodate the filling. Irrigation is employed to clear out any residue or debris.

The canal is filled with a permanent material called gutta-percha which keeps the cavity infection-free. Finally, the tooth is resealed and additional support is provided if required.

Maria Balce, D.D.S.helps you to get rid of your tooth pulp infection by opting for a root canal treatment. Call our Santa Clara office at (626) 336-7567 to book an appointment.