Getting to the Root Cause of Your Tooth Pain
Having a persistent toothache or sensitivity can be a sign of a severely infected tooth. When an untreated cavity reaches the inside of your tooth, root canal therapy may be needed to protect your oral health and prevent further issues. At Vaheed Bayette DDS, our San Diego, CA dentists are experienced in providing gentle root canal therapy to restore your smile.
Don’t ignore your tooth if you think it’s infected. Dr. Bayette is here to provide you and patients throughout the Mission Valley, CA area with exceptional general dental care.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
A root canal is performed when the inside of your tooth becomes infected. This typically occurs when a cavity is left untreated and spreads into your tooth’s inner pulp, making it more sensitive and extremely painful. While most patients think root canals are painful, this is simply untrue. Our Mission Valley, CA general dentists use local anesthesia to make this procedure gentle and painless. Most patients compare the experience to getting a filling.
Symptoms Your Pulp May Be Infected
Knowing the signs of a root canal infection is important so that you can receive treatment as soon as possible. You may need a root canal if you experience any of the following:
- Cavities that weren’t treated
- Persistent and severe tooth pain
- Toothaches around your jaw and neck
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Swollen lymph nodes near your neck
The Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
Undergoing a root canal can save a tooth that’s severely infected. This can help avoid the need of having to undergo a tooth extraction. Other benefits include:
- Prevents tooth loss
- Keeps adjacent teeth healthy
- Prevents jawbone deterioration
- Boosts your overall oral health
- Virtually painless procedure
The Root Canal Therapy Process
Your root canal can be completed in only a couple of appointments with our Mission Valley, CA general dentist. Dr. Bayette will apply a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort during your procedure. Next, he’ll use special dental tools to remove any infected tissue to stop cavities in their tracks. After your tooth is cleaned, it’ll be filled using a composite material. You may also receive a restoration like a dental crown to further strengthen it in situations where a second appointment is needed to protect your tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
The length of your root canal procedure will take anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes to complete. However, this depends on the number of teeth that require treatment as well as the severity of your infection. During your initial consultation, your dentist will provide an accurate timeline of how long your root canal procedure will take to complete.
Undergoing a root canal is virtually painless, as your dentist will apply a local anesthetic beforehand. Most patients compare the experience of getting a root canal treatment to that of receiving a tooth filling. While it’s normal to feel some discomfort or sensitivity afterward, this can be managed with an ice pack compresses or over-the-counter pain medication.
Most insurance companies will cover a portion of your root canal therapy. Your dentist will likely advise you to reach out to your provider before your treatment to get a clearer understanding of your benefits and coverage. Any questions you may have can be answered by your dentist and their staff to ensure that your root canal is a cost-effective and beneficial investment.
It’s unlikely that your tooth may become reinfected again since root canals have a 98 percent success rate. However, if your tooth does become infected again, your dentist will likely perform a root canal retreatment to get rid of any lingering bacteria that may have been missed. Contact your dentist if you notice that your symptoms are coming back or if your tooth is sensitive.
Visit Vaheed Bayette DDS for Root Canal Therapy
A severely infected tooth pulp requires immediate treatment. At Vaheed Bayette DDS, our experienced and knowledgeable dentists are proud to offer root canal therapy to reinforce your oral health and save your tooth from potential extraction. Contact our San Diego, CA practice by calling (619) 901-0708 or by filling out our online contact form. We also welcome patients in Mission Valley, Lemon Grove, and Spring Valley, CA.