A root canal is a procedure to save a tooth that might otherwise need to be pulled due to decay or infection. At Truxel Dental, the dentist in Sacramento, CA cleans out the infected tissue, fills the tooth with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha, and seals it. This prevents the infection from spreading. After the procedure, patients can enjoy their smiles without worrying about pain or discomfort. However, they still need to keep up with regular dental office cleanings and exams.

The Root Canal Procedure

Our dentist performs root canals to help patients with various tooth infection symptoms, including pain, tenderness, and sensitivity to hot and cold. The affected tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic during the root canal procedure to ensure the patient’s comfort. 

Then, the dentist creates a small opening in the tooth's crown to gain access to the nerve and removes the infected tissue from the tooth. Once the tooth’s canals have been cleared of debris or bacteria, they are cleaned with water and they are sealed. The tooth can be restored to its original condition using a dental crown.

The Benefits of a Root Canal

A tooth that is deeply infected can be very painful and uncomfortable, even to the point that over-the-counter pain medications aren’t enough to ease the pain. While extraction is often the answer to removing an infected tooth from the mouth, it doesn’t make sense to have a tooth extracted if it can be repaired. 

Removing the tooth without replacing it can cause the surrounding teeth to slowly shift toward the gap where your tooth used to be. It also increases your risk of bone loss caused by tooth loss. 

A root canal procedure can repair the damage inside of the tooth to save it from needing to be extracted entirely. 

When a tooth becomes deeply infected, the infection can spread to the surrounding gum tissues and bone structure. This can cause quite a bit of swelling in the area, leading to complications such as intense pain or difficulty eating. With a successful root canal procedure, the infection will be removed from the tooth's root canals, and the swelling will be reduced. After a root canal, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite foods again and be free from pain or discomfort.

Call (916) 333-2700 or visit Truxel Dental at 3880 Truxel Rd Suite #600, Sacramento, CA 95834 to learn more about the benefits of root canal treatments.