Root Canal in Encinitas

A root canal is a procedure specifically designed to save you from losing a tooth. Our teeth are comprised of certain parts, one of them being the pulp. A tooth’s pulp is where the nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue are housed. When this area becomes inflamed or infected, then a root canal procedure must be taken in order to save that tooth from falling right out of your mouth. 

How Do I Know if I Might Need a Root Canal?

When your pulp becomes inflamed or infected, you will begin to feel symptoms that prompt you to take action.

Toothache


These are pretty common, but certain toothaches point to the possibility of an inflamed/infected pulp. If you experience sharp pain in the middle of the night that leads into a generalized headache, then your tooth’s root may be suffering.

Abscess


If you see a bump near the top part of a tooth and/or pus present in the mouth, then there is a good chance a root canal will be required.

Sensitivity


Extreme pain to hot and cold foods is a good indicator.

Discoloration
Dark discoloration on the tooth points to a deteriorated pulp. This is a severe sign.

Don't Wait

If you notice a recurring pain that doesn’t seem to halt, then contact our dentist immediately. It is always better to save a tooth than to have it extracted and replaced.

The Procedure

Root canals are often a two-appointment procedure, with the first appointment taking up to an hour to perform. The second appointment is for a dental crown to help protect and strengthen the tooth while decreasing the likelihood of fracture. 

Feel free to call our office at 760-634-2024 to learn more about the root canal procedure or any other services we provide. We will be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.

Endo Q and A

Do I need a root canal?

A root canal is necessary when the nerve of the tooth becomes infected or inflamed. This can be the result of either a cavity or trauma to the tooth. Sometimes, a tooth needing a root canal may have a constant ache, sensitivity to temperature, or pain when biting or chewing. Sometimes, however, the tooth may not hurt at all.

Does the procedure hurt?

Care is taken to make sure the procedure is as comfortable as possible. The area is numbed before the procedure is started. You should not feel any more than you would with any other dental procedure.

What happens if I wait or delay getting the root canal done?

Delaying treatment is not advised as it allow time for the infection to spread to the rest of your body. Additionally, waiting too long may result in the tooth degrading more and it may need to be taken out as a result.

Can I just take antibiotics to cure the infection?

While antibiotics can sometimes provide some measure of relief, it will not be able to kill all the bacteria in the tooth and the infection will likely come back once the antibiotics are gone. A root canal allows the inside of the tooth to be more thoroughly cleaned out and disinfected.