Los Angeles Dentist, Dr. Arthur Kezian practices Root Canals

Root Canal Therapy in Los Angeles – How Serious Is It?

If your dentist has told you that you need Root Canal Therapy, there is no need to panic.  In Los Angeles, a root canal is a common procedure.  And, once it’s done, your teeth will be much healthier!

Before root canal therapy in Los Angeles existed, problematic teeth had to be pulled out.  Today, though, your dentist can fix a tooth that is seriously decayed or badly infected.   Thanks to new technology, extracting teeth is only a last resort in truly serious cases.  Thanks to a Los Angeles root canal, you don’t have to worry about having gaps in your smile!

How Do You Know If You Need a Root Canal in Los Angeles?
Your teeth will tell you!  If you are experiencing any of the following, it’s time to make an appointment with your dentist:

• Pain or throbbing while chewing or biting
• Abnormal sensitivity to hot and cold foods
• Severe tooth decay
• An injury that has created an abscess in your bone

What Happens During Root Canal Therapy in Los Angeles?
It may take several visits to your Los Angeles root canal dentist to completely get rid of the problem.  The time it takes to do your root canal depends on how badly your nerve tissue is damaged.  If you have several nerves that are damaged, the process will take longer.
During a root canal, your dentist will create a small opening in the top of your tooth and remove the infected or irritated nerve tissue that is in the root of your tooth.  This damaged nerve tissue is what’s causing your pain, decay, and abscesses, so one it’s gone, you will feel much better.
Once the damaged nerve tissue is removed, your dentist will re-shape the nerve and fill it with a special filling material.  Then, your dentist will seal the area with a sterile plastic material called gutta percha.  Doing this ensures that bacteria will not be able to make its way back into the nerve and cause additional infection.
Finally, your dentist will decide if your tooth needs a post, core, and crown to restore it to its normal shape and function.
To help give you some relief during the procedure, your dentist will give you a local anesthetic.  Thankfully, the days of incredibly painful root canal therapy in Los Angeles are long gone!  The key, though, is getting to a dentist that specializes in Los Angeles root canals quickly.  The sooner you take care of the problem, the less uncomfortable it will be.
What Happens After the Procedure?
Root canal therapy in Los Angeles – or anywhere else for that matter! – can cause some pain and discomfort after the procedure is done.  For infections or abscesses that have been there for awhile, you may experience soreness in between root canal visits. 
Usually, though, any pain that you are experiencing will go away 48-72 hours after your root canal in Los Angeles is finished.  In the meantime, though, avoid chewing on the treated tooth, so that it has adequate time to heal.
There are several home remedies that can make the post-root canal pain more tolerable.  If you are uncomfortable, try these tips:

• Keep your head elevated, and place some extra pillows under your head when you lie down.  This will help prevent the area from throbbing.

• If your gums are swollen, rinse the area every 1-2 hours with warm salt water.  Add a teaspoon of salt to 8 oz. of warm water for best results.

• If your face is swollen, apply an ice pack to the area for 5 minutes every ½ hour.

If you are experience serious post-operative discomfort, your dentist can prescribe you painkillers like Codeine, Vicodin, Percodan, and Demerol.  In many cases, though, a prescription analgesic is enough to keep the pain at bay.
If your dentist has prescribed antibiotics, make sure to take all of them, as directed.  That way, you will not fall victim to any post-operative infections.
In some cases, dentist will leave teeth open so that the infection can drain out.  If this is what your dentist has done, he will also give you some directions on how to place cotton in your mouth so that everything drains properly.
No matter how serious your root canal therapy in Los Angeles is, your tooth will not “die” after the procedure.  That is simply an old wives’ tale.  While your dentist will have to remove infected nerve tissue, your tooth will still continue to receive blood supply and nerve supply from the surrounding tissue.
As long as you continue to take good care of it, your tooth will last as long as your other teeth.  And, it can even be strong enough to anchor a partial denture or cemented bridge.  The key, though, is to find the right Los Angeles root canal expert.  That way, your chances of having a healthy smile go up dramatically!