Root Canal Therapy in Fountain Valley - How it Works

Save Your Natural Tooth—Without the Stress

We completely understand the stress and anxiety that can understandably be caused when you learn you need an invasive treatment to save infected tooth structures. Our job is to do it without the stress so that you can continue with your life with the absolute minimum of disruption.

Saving your natural tooth is always our focus so that you can enjoy your smile again while also virtually eliminating the risk of future infection. We make it possible through a combination of personal care and advanced root cleaning technology that is fast, comfortable, and designed to provide lasting results.

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal procedure is a well-established treatment for infected teeth that is designed to save your tooth and prevent the infection from spreading. At the heart of each tooth is a combination of nerves and blood vessels known as the pulp, and it’s the pulp that becomes infected. This could be due to deep decay, external trauma, or a minor internal infection that has started to spread rapidly.

A root canal — also known as endodontic therapy — involves the pain-free removal of the infected pulp. At the same time, the remaining structure of the tooth will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to prevent future issues. We then finish by filling or sealing the exposed tooth to prevent the infection from returning.

Signs You Might Need Root Canal Treatment

There are a number of reasons you might be a suitable candidate for a root canal treatment. Here are the key signs we strongly advise that you look out for:

Severe toothache while chewing

When the pulp at the center of the tooth becomes infected, there is a great deal of additional pressure on the millions of sensitive nerve endings that lie inside. The application of gentle external pressure during chewing should not be enough to trigger sensations in the pulp, but it will almost certainly happen if your tooth is infected. A root canal procedure will remove the infected pulp, as well as any surrounding tissue or structures that are compromised.

Swollen or tender gums

An infection that starts in a tooth can quickly spread to the surrounding soft tissues that constitute the gums. Because the infection is internal, you will not be able to address it with simple brushing or flossing. If you notice that you have persistently swollen and tender gums, you may need a root canal treatment that cleans out infected tissue to address root causes.

Sensitivity to hot/cold

If a hot drink or a bowl of ice cream triggers pain, there is a nerve issue somewhere within the tooth. Infections will significantly increase the degree of pain you feel and may even force you to avoid certain types of food. While doing this may reduce the amount of pain you experience, it does not address the root cause. A root canal will typically be needed to remove inflamed or infected pulp that has become overly sensitive to temperature.

Darkened tooth color

A tooth that looks like it is bruised is likely to have an infection in the pulp that is causing the delicate internal blood vessels to be inflamed. While it may be tempting to consider this as purely a cosmetic issue, there is an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. A root canal will remove all infected pulp and other structures and tissues that have been affected.

Pimple-like bump on the gums

Noticing bumps on your gums is a sign that you may have an untreated infection that will require a root canal treatment. The removal of infected tissue and tooth pulp will get to the root of the problem, as will cleaning, shaping, and sealing the canal where the affected tooth’s roots are anchored. Addressing the infection at the source means that secondary symptoms such as bumps on your gums quickly clear up.

We understand that the stress of having an invasive treatment may cause you to seek workarounds — changing your diet, at-home pain remedies, chewing only on one side of your mouth — but we want you to know we are here to help. A specialist root canal procedure will address the root causes and underlying issues while following up with regular dental check-ups will ensure that you can maintain an optimal state of oral health for many years to come.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Knowing what to expect during a root canal treatment can make the prospect of scheduling one seem less daunting. Here’s how we break things down into four proven steps so that you can feel at ease from the moment you book your appointment with us:

Numbing the area completely

If you want to know do root canals hurt, you will be pleased to know that we use the latest highly effective local anesthetics to completely numb the surrounding area. We will also talk you through exactly what we are doing and when you may feel pressure in other areas of your mouth so that you know exactly what is going on.

Removing infected pulp

Specialist root canal cleaning tools are used to carefully remove all infected pulp without disrupting surrounding structures. The result is a quick recovery with the absolute minimum of post-procedure pain and swelling. Our goal is always to help you return to your old self as soon as possible.

Cleaning and sealing the tooth

Our specialist disinfectant solutions combine with the latest filling procedures to clean and seal the tooth. We want to ensure that the infection has no possibility of returning and that future infections do not target your tooth, as it may be perceived as a weak point.

A custom crown for strength

We will advise whether you need a custom-fitted crown to increase the structural strength of your tooth to provide additional protection. Our crowns can last 10–15 years with proper care and cleaning, providing you with a long-term solution so that root canals never become a repeat procedure.

Saving your natural tooth is always our focus so that you can enjoy your smile again while also virtually eliminating the risk of future infection. We make it possible through a combination of personal care and advanced root cleaning technology that is fast, comfortable, and designed to provide lasting results.