Root canals have a bad reputation, largely due to movies and TV shows exaggerating the amount of discomfort that the procedure entails. In reality, however, a root canal actually alleviates a great deal of pain with a procedure that’s not nearly as bad as you’d think. Hollister Smiles Dental: Diana Boado, DDS, provides safe and effective root canals to residents of Hollister, California. Schedule yours today by calling the office or booking an appointment online.
Root canal therapy is a procedure that treats a decayed, infected, or damaged tooth. It involves removing the damaged tissue inside of the tooth (known as the pulp) and filling the space with special dental materials.
Root canal therapy enables Dr. Boado to restore your damaged tooth without having to extract it entirely. When you extract your tooth to treat damage or infection, it gets rid of the damage, but it can also cause problems for your adjacent teeth and be more costly in the long run.
Although teeth treated with root canal therapy occasionally need to be retreated if they get reinfected, root canals are usually highly successful and last a lifetime.
You likely need a root canal if you’re suffering from any of the following conditions:
Having root canal therapy in these circumstances can restore your tooth and your oral health to optimal levels.
Some of the indications that you might need root canal therapy include:
Sometimes, however, a damaged or infected tooth doesn’t show any noticeable symptoms. Because of this, it’s incredibly important to maintain regular checkups and cleanings with Dr. Boado, as she might be able to detect signs of decay before you do.
First, Dr. Boado numbs your tooth and protects your mouth with a rubber dental dam. Then she uses a drill to make a small access hole in the top of your tooth. She extracts your damaged tooth pulp with a series of small files, then cleans and sterilizes the inside of your tooth.
Once your tooth is clean, she fills it up with a special material called gutta-percha, which is like rubber. She places a filling in the access hole on top of your tooth, then places a crown on your tooth to restore it to its full function and protect it from breaking.
Schedule your root canal today by calling the offices at Hollister Smiles Dental: Diana Boado, DDS, or booking a visit online.