You may have heard of a root canal and have a vague idea of it being an unpleasant and painful procedure. Actually, it is only recommended when absolutely necessary to save a tooth from extraction and is meant to relieve pain. El Dorado Hills Town Center Dental provides this service in El Dorado Hills, CA to restore health to infected teeth.

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a treatment that cleans out the cavity in the center of the tooth. This area lies below the harder layers of enamel and dentin of the tooth and contains the nerves and dental pulp. When a tooth becomes infected (such as if a cavity has progressed deep into a tooth and reached the center), a root canal will be needed to prevent infection and the development of abscesses. Your dentist in El Dorado Hills, CA will recommend the procedure to save the tooth rather than extract it.

What is the Procedure for a Root Canal?

You may need to visit El Dorado Hills Town Center Dental for more than one appointment to have a root canal completed. Once it has been determined that you need the procedure, your dentist will take x-rays of the affected tooth and surrounding areas. These images will give your dentist a better idea of the shape of the root canals and show if there are signs of infection in the surrounding bone.

A root canal is not as painful as many people may think because anesthesia is used for the procedure. A local anesthetic will be applied to numb the tooth and areas around it. A rubber dam will then be placed around the tooth to keep the area clean and dry throughout the procedure. Your dentist at El Dorado Hills Town Center Dental will access the dental pulp by creating a hole through the crown of the tooth. The decayed nerve tissue and related debris will be removed from the canal. The sides of the canals will then be reshaped and scrubbed smooth to deter bacteria from collecting there again and creating further problems. To restore structure to the tooth, your dentist will fill in the canal with a biocompatible material. The access hole will then be closed with a dental filling or, if the damage was extensive, a dental crown could be placed to complete the treatment.