×

To Our Southern California Dental Health Associates Family:

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example: Enhanced Covid 19 - Safety Policy Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You must have a mask to enter the office. We will check everyone's temperature. We will do everything possible so that you can fill out all forms online to minimize time in the office. Due to new procedures, we ask you to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times. We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at 323-934-3341 Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends. Jonathan Engel, D.D.S.

Close
Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Dr. Jonathan Engel, DDS
    • Meet our Team
    • Blog
  • Services
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Teeth Whitening
    • Dental Implants
    • General and Family Dentistry
    • Root Canal
    • Laughing Gas
    • Sedation Dentistry
    • Restorative Dentistry
    • Oral Systemic Health
    • Hygiene and Soft-Tissue Health
  • Testimonials
  • Patient Info
    • New Patient Forms
    • Financing Option
    • Smile Protection Plus Program
    • Private Care Saving Plan
    • HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Special Offers
  • Contact Us
Round Tooth Logo

(323) 934-3341

Patient Care Savings Plan
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Endodontics >
  • Root Canal Treatment FAQs

Root Canal Treatment FAQs

  • Created in Endodontics

If you have been told you need root canal treatment, you may be feeling a bit nervous. Not to worry — treating root canal problems is a routine part of dentistry that can relieve certain kinds of tooth pain and help your teeth last longer. As you learn more about this beneficial procedure, you will understand why it's needed — and how it will leave you in far better shape than you were. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

Tooth after root canal treatment.

What is a root canal?

Dentists use the term “root canal” in referring to the tiny, narrow passageways that branch from a central, hollow space in your tooth (called the pulp chamber) down to the ends of the tooth roots. The term can also be used as a shorthand for “root canal treatment” — that is, the procedure used to save the tooth if the soft tissue deep inside of it (called pulp) becomes acutely inflamed or infected.

Why do I need root canal treatment?

If tooth pulp becomes acutely inflamed or infected because of decay or injury, the tissue will need to be removed in order to save the tooth and stop the infection from spreading. As an adult, you don't actually need the pulp — its primary use is to aid in tooth development during childhood.

Is there an alternative?

You could have the whole tooth extracted, but it's always better to try to save it — especially since root canal treatment is routine and has a very high success rate (over 90%). Saving the tooth can prevent other troubles from occurring later on; these could include bite problems from teeth shifting position, difficulty eating, and loss of jawbone volume and density.

Is root canal treatment painful?

The procedure normally causes no more discomfort that a filling would. Root canal treatment may have a bad reputation, but it is undeserved; in this case it's the disease that's to blame and not the cure. In other words, the infections that make the treatment necessary in the first place are often painful because they are inflaming tissue that has lots of nerves and therefore is very sensitive. Root canal treatment actually relieves this pain!

What will happen during the procedure?

After numbing the area, a tiny hole in the crown (top) of your tooth is made to access the pulp chamber and canals. The diseased tissue is removed, and the pulp chamber and the canal(s) are disinfected all the way to the root end(s). Teeth in the front of the mouth have one root and generally one canal; back teeth have two or three roots and generally three or four canals. Those canals and the pulp chamber are filled with an inert, biocompatible material, and sealed with adhesive cement. The access hole will receive a temporary filling.

What will happen afterwards?

Your tooth may feel sensitive for a few days, but any discomfort can usually be relieved with over-the-counter pain medication or anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen. You will be instructed to avoid chewing on that tooth until it receives its permanent filling, which can be placed a few days later. Depending on how damaged the tooth was to begin with, it may need a full-coverage crown. Those options will be discussed with you.

How can I avoid the need for root canal treatment in the future?

Keep your teeth decay-free by brushing and flossing every day. Eat a healthy diet low in sugar and avoid acidic beverages such as soda. Have regular professional cleanings and exams. And if you're active in sports, consider ordering a custom-made mouthguard to protect your teeth from injury.

Related Articles

Root Canal Treatment - Dear Doctor Magazine

Common Concerns About Root Canal Treatment The term “root canal” can send shivers down many a spine. However, preconceived notions that root canal treatment is filled with pain and discomfort are nothing more than outdated myths. In fact, root canal treatment doesn't cause pain but actually relieves it... Read Article

Root Canal - Dear Doctor Magazine

“I'd Rather Have a Root Canal...” We've all heard that expression, but how true is it? Is root canal treatment really something to be feared, or does it actually offer relief? In this article, a common misconception is demystified. Get the real story about this much maligned procedure that eases pain, rather than causes it... Read Article

Tooth Pain - Dear Doctor Magazine

Tooth Pain? Don't Wait! Pain is a protective response that informs the body that something is wrong. Tooth pain, specifically, is caused by a reaction of the nerves inside a tooth's pulp chamber, with the severity dependent upon the type and degree of the stimulus. This article gives some examples of pain symptoms and their possible causes... Read Article

  • Educational Videos
  • Cosmetic & General Dentistry
  • Emergency Care
  • Endodontics
  • Implant Dentistry
  • Oral Health
  • Oral Hygiene
  • Oral Surgery
  • Orthodontics
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Periodontal Therapy
  • Technology

Contact Us

Our Location

Find us on the map

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:30 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:30 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

10:00 am-8:00 pm

Thursday:

8:30 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-2:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-1:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Round Tooth Logo
  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map