Root Canals in Grover Beach, CA
What is a Root Canal?
Causes for a Root Canal
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Benefits
Root Canal Procedure
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth.
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The procedure involves the removal of the tooth's pulp, a thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth, cleaning and disinfecting, then filling and sealing it.
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The alternative for a Root Canal Treatment is having an extraction or delay the treatment.

Before
Deep tooth decay and pulp inflammation/infection.

After
Tooth is restored and saved with a Root Canal and a Crown.
Causes for a Root Canal
Most common causes are:
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Deep Cavity
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Cracks or Chips
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Disease
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Trauma to the tooth, root resorption
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Large fillings
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Repeated dental treatments

Crack on Tooth

Before - Chipped Tooth

After Root Canal Treatment and Restoration

Serious Toothache

Darkening of the Tooth
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
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Serious Toothache. Pain triggered when eating or applying pressure on the area. Constant pain or irritation that is not triggered by activity in the mouth.
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Lingering Sensitivity to Hot or Cold. Sensitivity that stays even after the stimuli have been removed.
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Darkening of the Tooth
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Tenderness or Swelling in the gums around the area of tooth pain.
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A Small, Pimple-Like Bump on the gums near the area to the tooth pain.
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Drainage
Benefits
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Removes Infection
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Saves the Tooth
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Prevents Problems Associated with Removing a Tooth. Prevent shifting of neighboring teeth, receding jawbone, increased risk for decay and gum disease among others.
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Can Last a Lifetime with Proper Care. Like any other tooth, it can become decayed or fractured or the tissue around it can get gum disease.

Root Canal Procedure
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X-rays: to determine the extent of the infection.
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Anesthesia: numbing of the area and use of a thin sheet of rubber to keep the tooth dry.
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Removal of the tooth's nerve or pulp and cleaning: each root canal is cleaned and shaped, so it can be filled.
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Filling and Sealing of the Canal: the root canals are usually filled with a rubber-like material to seal them.
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Restoration of the tooth with a Crown or Filling. If more than one visit is needed, a temporary filling is placed.
The final step is usually placing a crown over the tooth to:
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Protect the already brittle tooth because there is no longer a pulp keeping the tooth alive.
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Restore its natural shape and appearance.

Tooth decay and infection and/or inflamed pulp.
Tooth decay is removed and an opening is made through the crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber.
The pulp is removed and the root canals are cleaned and shaped.
The root canals and pulp chamber are filled, and the tooth is then restored with a core build up and a crown or filling.