What is endodontic treatment?

In Greek, endo means “inside” and ondont means “tooth—this branch of dentistry deals with the inside of the tooth. An endodontist typically performs root canals.

Knowing the anatomy of the tooth helps with the understanding of endodontics. The pulp is the soft tissue under the white enamel and the dentin, a hard layer. As the tooth develops, blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue in the pulp help build its hard tissues. Because a mature tooth is nourished by the surrounding tissues, it can survive without the pulp

How does endodontic treatment save the tooth?

After we remove the inflamed or infected pulp, we carefully clean and shape the inside of the canal, then fill and seal the space. Afterwards, you’ll return to your dentist for a crown or other restoration to protect and restore your tooth to full function. After this, your tooth functions normally.

Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?

With our years of experience and state of the art technology, we aim for procedures that are comfortable and pain-free. “While we use anesthetic to numb the area as we work, your tooth may be sensitive for a few days. Many patients report that having a root canal is no more painful than getting a filling.”
While a lot of people worry about root canals as a painful dental procedure, patients who had it done report that it just feels like a routine tooth filling. What is more painful is the agony experienced by the patients who tend to delay his or her dental consult. The procedure is pretty much painless.

To prepare the tooth for a root canal, your dentist will apply anesthesia around the decaying tooth. A tiny drill is then utilized to get to the pulp. The pulp is found in the center of the tooth down to your jaw bone. The infected pulp is removed using special dental tools. The created canal inside your tooth will be cleaned and disinfected to make sure that all bacteria are eliminated to prevent any infection from occurring. The tooth is then filled with a temporary material while a permanent crown can be placed to reseal the tooth. The dentist may prescribe some antibiotics to control any potential infection and may ask you to visit for a follow-up checkup or dental X-ray. After the root canal procedure, patients may feel some soreness in the area but normally, you will be able to return to your usual activities the following day.

We service families in Riverbank and the following cities: Modesto, Oakdale, Escalon, Salida, Ripon

To schedule a consultation with Riverbank Smiles Dental and decide and which procedure is best for you, please contact our office today.