Root Canal Therapy In Santa Clarita, CA
Schedule a Complimentary Root Canal Therapy Consultation
Schedule Your Appointment Today Call Now: (661)290-2825Up until recently, teeth with pulp diseases had to be removed. Today, root canal treatment provided by our dentists in Santa Clarita helps save many teeth that would otherwise be lost.
Root canal treatment (or endodontic treatment) cures the inside of the tooth, including connective tissue, blood vessels, and cells, when it becomes infected or inflamed.
The main goal of a root canal is to cure the infection, save the tooth, and prevent further complications. Our root canal specialist Dr. Edon Hirt highly is a recognized endodontist in Santa Clarita and a member of the American Association of Endodontists.
Your root canal treatment will be completed using the latest digital technology and advanced techniques. We are committed to providing the highest standard of professional care in a friendly comfortable environment so your root canal experience is easy and pain free.
There are many causes that can lead to tooth inflammation or infection: deep cavity, chips or cracks, repeated procedures on the same tooth, faulty crowns, an injury to a tooth, and more.
Untreated infections or inflammation can cause strong pain and even lead to an abscess. If an abscess develops it destroys the bone surrounding the tooth and causes very intense pain.
Symptoms of Tooth Infection and Pulp Damage - The Reasons for a Rooth Canal
- Sever spontaneous pain in the tooth
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- Toothache when you bite or chew
- Swollen gums over the infected tooth
- Pus around the affected tooth
- Fever or feeling ill/li>
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Swollen glands
- Swollen jaws
Possible Complications of Root Canal Infection
- Spreading of infection
- When the pulp is infected, it loses the ability to resist further spread of the infection. This, in turn, can cause an endodontic abscess.
- Loss of tooth
- When the pulp is injured or infected, the pulp tissue dies. If you don’t remove the bacteria, your tooth will get infected and can be lost.
- Bone loss
- The infection can spread and cause bone loss in the jaw.
What Are the Benefits of Root Canal Treatment?
Saving your natural tooth root canal has a lot of advantages:
- Efficient chewing
- Normal biting force and taste sensation
- Natural look
- Protect remaining teeth from strain
- Durability: most treated teeth last as long as natural ones
Steps Involved in Root Canal Treatment
- Step 1.
First, the tooth is examined and x-rayed to understand the problem and tooth condition. The x-rays show the number, size and depth of the roots, thus helping to plan the root canal treatment. Then, the nerve is taken out and the canals are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The root canals should be shaped to ensure a smooth surface. If some infection remains in the tooth, a temporary filling material is used to medicate it. The dental procedure is held under the local anesthesia. You have to wait a few weeks or months until the tooth is free from any bacteria. - Step 2.
On the second visit, the temporary filling is removed. The infection-free root canal is sealed with a permanent rubber dam, often referred to as gutta-percha. If the tooth is heavily damaged, a post may be required to build it up before placing the crown. Thus, a metal or plastic rod is inserted into the canal for additional support. Then, a crown or other restoration is placed on the tooth. - Maintenance
After the first stage of treatment, you shouldn’t chew or bite on the treated tooth as the treatment hasn’t been fully completed. During the first few days after the procedure, your teeth could be sensitive, but this discomfort can be relieved with certain over-the-counter medications. As soon as you have your tooth restored, you should treat it as your natural one. Practice proper oral hygiene (brushing, flossing), and don’t forget about regular dental checkups.
Post Operative Instructions
Root Canal Therapy
It is normal to feel some pain, gum soreness and increased tooth sensitivity after root canal treatment as your body is undergoing the healing process. These unpleasant feelings will loosen gradually within several days to weeks. Follow these guidelines to prevent any complications and minimize side effects:
- After the root canal treatment, a temporary filling is usually set in. Be careful with it: avoid eating hard foods until the numbness wears off. This will help you keep from biting your cheeks or tongue and will save your temporary restoration.
- Don’t eat chewy or hard food on the treated side of your mouth until your tooth is fully restored.
- Taking prescribed or over-the-counter medications can help relieve the pain and discomfort. If you have been prescribed antibiotics it’s very import to start the antibiotics and finish completely as directed even if you are not in any pain.
- Continue proper oral hygiene: brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis. However, if you have a temporary filling placed in the space between teeth, don’t floss it.
- In case of certain symptoms (fever, increasing pain that doesn’t go away after painkillers, increased gum swelling, allergic reaction to medications, uneven bite or new filling that falls out), immediately contact our office.
- If you feel comfortable within a few days after root canal therapy, then you can call us to schedule the final restoration.
- When your tooth is finally restored with a crown, take care of your teeth by cleaning and flossing them and having regular dental check-ups.
Dr. Edon Hirt D.D.S.
American Board Certified Endodontist - Root Canal Specialist
All root canal procedures are performed by Dr. Hirt, who is an American Board Certified painless Endodontist.
Why is it important to have an endodontist do your root canal? Compared to general dentists, a rooth canal specialist has an extra 2 years of specialized education.
Further, endodontists perform 25 root canals per week compared to general dentists who perform about 2 per week – the increased experience means specialists can perform a streamlined process without pain.
Contact Us
Aesthetic Dental & Specialty Center features a comfortable relaxed atmosphere. Our friendly staff and hygienists help put our patients at ease — even the most nervous ones. Our Santa Clarita dentists also provide oral conscious and IV advanced sedation for those patients who need more help to relax.
Whether you need general dentistry services or you have more complex dental needs, our expert dental team serves patients of all ages, and we accept most dental insurance.
No matter where you’re traveling from — Valencia or Stevenson Ranch — Aesthetic Dental & Specialty Center is here to serve you. Take a look at the areas we serve below and schedule a complimentary consultation today!