Root Canals
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Nancy Trinh DDS
General Dentist & Cosmetic Dentist located in San Jose, CA
Root canals provide a safe and effective way to treat damaged or inflamed tooth pulp. When performed by a qualified professional, root canals can relieve pain and prevent the need for an extraction. At Trinh Dental in San Jose, California, Nancy Trinh, DDS, Tracy Trinh, DDS, and the team perform root canals to relieve pain and save your tooth. To schedule an appointment, call the office or book online today.
Root Canals Q&A
What are root canals?
Root canals are a dental procedure used to remove tooth pulp, the soft center of your tooth. Tooth pulp contains connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels, allowing for sensations like hot and cold, but it isn’t necessary for a tooth’s survival.
What conditions can root canals treat?
Root canals treat tooth pulp that’s damaged, infected, or inflamed. By removing the soft center of your tooth, it’s possible to preserve the hard enamel.
Pulp damage can occur for various reasons, including:
- Chips or cracks
- Deep decay caused by a cavity
- Undergoing multiple dental procedures
- Getting hit in the mouth
Damaged or infected tooth pulp causes a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including swelling, irritation, and a feeling of warmth in your gums.
What happens during root canal treatment?
Getting a root canal is a quick procedure that takes about 90 minutes.
First, the team at Trinh Dental administers a local anesthetic to numb your tooth roots and gums. After the anesthesia sets in, your dentist drills an access hole in the top of your affected tooth and carefully removes the pulp.
They rinse the center of your tooth with an antiseptic solution and fill it with gutta-percha, a rubbery material. They take impressions of your tooth and send them to a dental laboratory that manufactures a custom crown. Lastly, your dentist applies a temporary crown to protect your tooth.
About a week after your root canal, you return to Trinh Dental. Your dentist removes your temporary crown and bonds your permanent crown in its place.
What is recovery like following a root canal?
After a root canal, it’s normal to experience some mild pain and increased sensitivity. Follow your dentist’s recovery instructions carefully and take any medication as prescribed. It’s okay to continue brushing and flossing, but make sure you do so gently.
Your mouth should feel back to normal within a few days. Be patient and, if necessary, take an over-the-counter pain killer for relief.
Do I need a root canal?
The team at Trinh Dental can determine if you benefit from a root canal. Following an oral exam, a review of your oral health history, and a discussion of your symptoms, they can develop a custom care plan that aligns with your needs.
To learn more about the benefits of root canals, schedule an appointment at Trinh Dental by calling the office or booking online today.
