Root Canal Specialists

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Root canal treatment is the removal of infected pulp from the pulp chambers and root canals of your tooth. Pulp is the innermost layer of your tooth and contains nerves and blood vessels, while tooth roots are the bony structures below your gum line responsible for anchoring your tooth in place.

When tooth decay passes through the enamel (outer layer) and dentin (middle layer), it infects the pulp and causes inflammation and pain. Infected pulp can also be the result of periodontal disease, tooth fracture, or an extensive history of restoration.  Once the pulp becomes infected, the only way to save the tooth from extraction is to perform a root canal.

Root canals first remove the infected pulp tissue, then clean the remaining pulp chamber and root canals to rid them of any lingering bacteria. Once the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, then a filling material is placed within the root canals and pulp chamber to prevent further infection by sealing the tooth. Finally, a dental crown is placed over the affected tooth to protect it from damage.

Root Canal Retreatment

In some cases, root canals can fail and then root canal retreatment is necessary. Root canal retreatment uses the same process as a root canal, except the filling material is removed since there is no longer any pulp. The dental crown that was previously placed must also be removed to access the pulp chamber of the tooth. Once the crown and filling are removed, the pulp chamber will once again be cleaned and resealed, then the crown will be replaced over the affected tooth.

ENDODONTIC MICROSURGERY

Endodontic microsurgery, or Apicoectomy, is performed after a root canal procedure if the bacteria in your root canals continues to spread into the underlying bone, causing an infection, or abscess. Endodontic microsurgery is performed under a microscope to preserve the tooth’s crown.

During endodontic microsurgery, the inflamed bone and infected tissue is removed, and sent out for testing. Once the infected tissue has been completely removed, a filling is placed to seal off the affected area, and the gums are stitched up for better healing.

Over the next few months, new bone tissue will grow and fill in the space where the abscess was. After six months, we will schedule a follow-up appointment with you to ensure that proper and adequate bone growth has occurred.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who performs endodontic treatment?

At Irvine Endodontics, all our endodontic treatments are performed by an endodontic specialist to ensure that you receive the highest quality of care. Endodontic specialists are highly experience professionals that are able to perform even the most complex of root canal procedures.

How long will root canal treatment take?

Most root canal appointments take at least 1-2 appointments to complete, however in some rare cases more appointments may be required. The amount of appointments required for your individual case will depend on how advanced the infection is and how much swelling and inflammation it has caused. You can expect each treatment appointment to last about 1-2 hours.

What happens after root canal treatment?

After completing your root canal treatment, a record of treatment and your dental x-rays will be sent back to your general dentist. A few weeks after your root canal treatment, you will need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your general dentist to determine which restoration method is best. Until the affected tooth is properly restored, you will want to avoid chewing on that side to prevent the tooth from fracturing. It is important to note that failure to continue your follow up care after a root canal can cause the root canal to fail and your tooth to be lost.

What about infection control?

Irvine Endodontics actively uses autoclave sterilization and barrier techniques to prevent infection, and is compliant with infection control standards put in place by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), and the ADA (American Dental Association).

Do I need root canal treatment even if my tooth doesn’t hurt?

Yes, the reason for needing a root canal is to remove the infection before it gets worse. Pain is a single symptom of this infection and may or may not be present when your dentist refers you to our endodontists. Nevertheless, if the infection has reached your pulp or root canals, then root canal therapy must be performed to save the tooth.

PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

Irvine Endodontics offers flexible office hours and friendly staff to help you make an appointment for your root canal as soon as possible. When calling our office to set up your appointment, please let us know if you are currently experiencing a lot of pain. Irvine Endodontics accepts most insurance plans, as well as payment from most PPO and indemnity plans.

During your appointment, we will ask you the following questions, so please come prepared with the answers:

• Who is your dental insurance provider?
• Who is the primary subscriber on your dental insurance and what is their identification number and date of birth?
• Who is your general dentist and what is their telephone number?
• Do you have any medical conditions that require the use of antibiotics prior to dental treatment?

EMERGENCY ROOT CANAL APPOINTMENT

An emergency root canal may be necessary if you are experiencing severe tooth pain that requires immediate attention. During an emergency root canal, nerve inside the tooth is removed to alleviate any discomfort. Sometimes, if the nerve cannot be removed, then the tooth is packed with medication that will eliminate the infection and reduce pain.

In some cases, the entire root canal procedure can be completed during an emergency root canal appointment. If, however, the entire procedure cannot be completed, a temporary filling will be placed and an appointment will be made to complete the root canal.

WHAT IS AN ENDODONTIST?

Endodontists are dental specialists that focus on the diagnosis and treatment of tooth pain and disorders affecting the inside of the tooth. In fact, the word “Endodontic” literally breaks down to “endo” meaning within, and “odont” meaning tooth. Because Endodontists are specialists, they must complete an additional two years of postdoctoral education that focuses extensively on identifying, diagnosing, and treating diseases of the dental pulp. The most commonly performed procedure by an Endodontist is root canal treatment.

Over 14 million teeth are treated annually with some form of root canal treatment, and we at Irvine Endodontics have completed thousands of successful root canal treatments ourselves. Our goal is to make treatment as easy and as quick as possible, while executing the best course of treatment for infected or necrotic teeth.

POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

As soon as your root canal treatment is over, you will be able to return to work, school, or your usual routine. The local anesthetic used to keep you comfortable during your procedure will wear off within a couple hours after the procedure. Our goal is provide you with the best service possible so that you are completely satisfied with your treatment. If you have any questions or concerns after your procedure, we strongly encourage you to call our office.

• In the days following your root canal treatment and up to 10 days post-op, you may experience mild pain, soreness, swelling, and tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity can feel like a throbbing sensation that occurs when biting or chewing with the affected tooth. You are especially prone to any of these after effects if you experienced them prior to your root canal.
• Be sure to take any and all medication prescribed to you by our office as directed. Please also note that if you are currently taking birth control, you will need to consult with your pharmacist and/or physician.
• Continue your daily dental routine of brushing and flossing, however take care not to dislodge the temporary filling on the affected tooth.
• If you have a temporary filling, avoid chewing on the side of the affected tooth for at least one hour after the procedure and then exercise caution when chewing to prevent the filling from falling out. It is recommended to avoid chewing on the side of the affected tooth altogether, and to especially avoid foods that are hard or chewy. It is also recommended to drink liquids as soon as your root canal is over, as this helps to harden the temporary filling.
• Within 15 days of your root canal treatment, you will need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your general dentist. The sooner you schedule this appointment, the sooner the permanent restoration can be placed. Delaying the placement of a permanent restoration can cause the tooth to become damaged or infected again.
• If you are experiencing severe pain or swelling after your root canal, call our office immediately.

YOUR FIRST VISIT

Your first visit to Irvine Endodontics is a consultation where we will create a personalized endodontic treatment plan for you. To have your consultation go smoothly, please arrive about 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to fill out paperwork and bring your insurance card, subscriber information, and your referral from your general dentist. In addition, you will also want to bring a list of your medications and any allergies, as these will be discussed during your consultation.

During your consultation, our endodontists will evaluate the existing structure of your tooth to determine if the root canals can be accessed. If your root canals cannot be accessed, are fractured, or are lacking sufficient bone support, the affected tooth may not be able to be saved with a root canal.

To determine if root canal treatment can be performed, dental x-rays will be taken, the surrounding gum tissue will be evaluated for disease, and your tooth will be tested to see if biting, palpation, percussion, and temperature causes pain or sensitivity. Because of this, it is important NOT to take painkillers before your appointment. Painkillers will hide your symptoms and corrupt your results.

Once our Endodontists have made a diagnosis and designed a personalized treatment plan, our professional treatment coordinator will explain this plan. At this time, you will also be provided with a quote detailing your insurance benefits and remaining financial responsibility. After you agree to treatment, another appointment will then be made to execute your root canal treatment.