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Root Canals

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Eliminating infection and protecting healthy teeth

Are you suffering from intense pain because of a tooth that is badly infected or severely decayed?

In such cases, a root canal is the recommended solution. This procedure allows the removal of the infected area of the tooth, which is the pulp, followed by thorough cleaning and disinfection of the inside of the tooth, filling it, and then sealing it.

Root canals allow you to save your natural tooth without having to remove it, while still getting rid of the infected part. It can also help in the prevention of reinfection in the future.

Dr. Shabnam Khanideh and Dr. Mehra Pouyan at LiveWell Dentistry in Santa Monica are dentists who are both very skilled in performing root canals. Even though it may be a complex procedure, both of them have had years of experience and know-how to complete the process with the least pain possible for patients.

What is Root Canal Treatment Like?

Today, thanks to advanced technology, tools, and equipment, you need no more than two visits in most cases to the dentist’s office to complete your root canal treatment. Over the course of your visits, there are several steps that will be taken.

First, Dr. Khanideh or Dr. Pouyan will carefully examine your infected tooth and take X-rays to see the shape of your root canals and determine if the surrounding bone has been infected. Then, the area near the tooth is numbed using anesthesia.

The infected tooth is isolated using a dental rubber dam so as to keep it dry and free from saliva. A hole is drilled into the tooth so that the infected pulp, along with the decayed nerve tissue, bacteria, and other debris can be removed.

Afterward, the pulp chamber is cleaned and disinfected thoroughly and then shaped to prepare it for a filling.

Usually, we suggest that you wait a week or so to fill and seal your tooth. This gives enough time to clear up any infection that could occur and also allows the tooth and surrounding areas to heal completely. A temporary filling will be placed to seal the tooth to keep out food particles and saliva.

Then, on your second visit, the permanent filling is placed, and your tooth is sealed, thus completing your root canal treatment.

Signs that show you need a root canal treatment

If you experience any of the following, it may be a sign that you need a root canal treatment.

After a thorough examination and assessment, Dr. Khanideh or Dr. Pouyan will determine if it is a root canal or a different treatment that you need. Here are the signs that show you may need a root canal treatment:

  • You have problems from a previous filling
  • You have a cavity that is deeply rooted
  • Your tooth is extremely sensitive to hot and cold foods
  • You have severe pain while biting or chewing
  • Your gums have become tender and swollen
  • Your gums have darkened or are decayed
  • You have a cracked or chipped tooth
  • You have pimples on your gums
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Safe, comfortable and gentle root canals by dentists who care

There is a notion that root canals are very painful procedures. This may have been true in the past, but today, thanks to the availability of advanced tools and equipment, root canals are only as painful as any other dental procedure.

Besides, at LiveWell Dentistry, we understand the fear associated with root canals, which is why our dentists approach every treatment with understanding and gentleness. Making sure our patients feel comfortable and cared for while delivering quality dental care is our priority. With us, you have dentists who care and you will see the difference. Contact us today!

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