Root Canal Treatment in Ontario, CA

There’s nothing to worry about if you think you need root canal treatment: dentists perform over 15 million root canals every year to save infected teeth. By removing the infection inside the tooth, we can restore your tooth’s function and beauty.

At Esparza Dentistry, we perform transformative root canal therapy that alleviates your pain, enabling you to chew normally and smile confidently.

While a root canal is a common procedure, you may have some questions about what the treatment entails and why it is needed. Read on to learn more.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

When the inside of the tooth is exposed to bacteria, it can become infected. Bacteria can enter a tooth through the gum or from cracks or decay in the tooth. Untreated cavities and dental trauma leave you particularly vulnerable to infection beneath the tooth’s surface.Root Canals in Ontario CA Esparza Dentistry

Root canal therapy is an endodontic procedure that removes the infection from the inside of an affected tooth. Beneath the tooth’s enamel and dentin lies the pulp, which houses blood vessels and nerves. The pulp contains a chamber with canals that run down to the roots. When the tooth is infected, we remove the pulp to preserve the tooth and restore its function.

A root canal ensures that infection does not spread to other teeth, relieves pain and other symptoms, and saves the tooth so that a tooth extraction isn’t needed. If extraction is the best treatment option, there’s no need to worry. We can replace a lost tooth with a mini dental implant, dental bridge, or partial denture.

When Is a Root Canal Needed?

Only your dentist can tell you definitively if you need a root canal, but there are some common symptoms that you can look out for. Symptoms include:

  • Deep, persistent pain that may radiate to the jaw and face
  • Pain when chewing or touching the tooth
  • Sensitivity to temperature that may linger after consuming hot or cold foods and drinks
  • Discoloration of the tooth, especially a darkened, greyish tone
  • Pus-filled abscesses in the gums. These look like pimples that appear near the affected tooth
  • Gums that are red, swollen, or tender
  • Swollen jaw
  • Loose-feeling tooth due to the softening of the bone that supports the tooth

If you experience any of these symptoms and you know that your tooth is cracked, you will likely need root canal therapy.

However, not everyone experiences the same symptoms, so it’s best to maintain regular dental appointments. At your routine visits, we evaluate the condition of your teeth and perform treatments to address any issues before they worsen.

The Root Canal Process

Is A Root Canal Really Painful?

It’s time to dispel a rumor: while root canals are often perceived as being a tremendously painful procedure, that simply isn’t true. Root canal therapy has a bad reputation, with many people associating the procedure with pain. Thanks to advancements in dental technologies, a root canal procedure isn’t particularly painful. More often than not, the pain patients experience is from the infection itself. Because the procedure removes the infected pulp, patients tend to experience immediate relief.

What Can I Expect From My Procedure?Root Canals in Ontario CA Esparza Dentistry

The root canal process typically takes one to two appointments. We will prepare by taking X-rays to assess the extent of the infection and determine if root canal therapy is the best treatment method. If you are a good candidate, we’ll schedule your procedure. Depending on your medical needs and the extent of the infection, we may prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications for you to take a few days before your procedure.

At the start of your procedure, we will apply a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. This will keep you comfortable as we make a small hole in the crown to access the pulp. Using specialized instruments, we will remove the pulp from the main chamber and the canals. While pulp plays an important role in the tooth’s development, it isn’t needed once the tooth is fully developed. Depending on the severity of the infection, it may take more than one appointment to remove all the pulp.

Next, we will clean and disinfect the pulp chamber and canals before filling them with a biocompatible rubber material called gutta-percha. Using adhesive cement, we seal the gutta-percha into place. This process takes approximately 30 minutes to one hour.

We often recommend placing a dental crown over the tooth to add protection after root canal therapy. At Esparza Dentistry, you don’t need to schedule a separate appointment to be fitted for a crown. Using revolutionary CEREC technology, we can create same-day custom crowns in-house.

Recovery and Aftercare

You can eat after root canal therapy, but we recommend waiting until the numbness subsides so you don’t accidentally bite your tongue or cheeks. Begin with a soft food diet and introduce more solid foods as tolerated.

After your procedure, you may experience mild to moderate pain, although tenderness and sensitivity will diminish over the next few days. While every patient is different, most are fully healed in less than one week.

Depending on your needs, we may prescribe painkillers or recommend over-the-counter pain relievers. Be sure to follow your aftercare guidelines carefully to avoid complications.

How Long Does Root Canal Treatment Last?

A root canal and crown can last for years—even a lifetime—with proper oral hygiene. Be sure to brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss daily. Using an antibacterial mouthwash will also help keep bacteria at bay and prevent reinfection.

If you were treated with a dental crown, you can protect it from damage by adjusting your habits slightly. For instance, you should avoid using your teeth as tools, chewing ice, or eating hard food and candies. If you grind your teeth at night, wearing a night guard can take pressure off your crown.

As always, regular checkups at Esparza Dentistry are important for maintaining a functional, radiant smile.

How Much Does Root Canal Therapy Cost?

The cost of root canal therapy depends on several factors, including the type of tooth needing treatment and its location in your mouth, the anesthesia used, and whether a crown is needed to protect the tooth. Some insurance plans cover the cost of the procedure, while others offer partial coverage. We recommend talking to your insurance provider to verify what procedures your plan covers.

If you need to pay out-of-pocket for your treatment, we can help. At Esparza Dentistry, we are committed to providing excellent and affordable dental care. By partnering with dental financing companies, we offer flexible payment options that make the cost of your treatment manageable.

Say Goodbye to Dental Discomfort

At Esparza Dentistry, we are committed to providing high-quality restorative dentistry that improves your oral health. While infected teeth can be distressing, painful, and inconvenient, root canal therapy can provide immediate relief. By carefully removing the infection, we can preserve your tooth and restore its function.

With modern technology and compassionate dental professionals, you don’t have to dread getting a root canal. You can trust our gentle and caring team to deliver excellent results that will leave you smiling beautifully.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of a tooth infection, don’t delay. Contact Esparza Dentistry today to schedule a free consultation.