Root Canal Treatment

Every tooth consists of three different layers. First, there is the outermost and hardest layer, which is enamel. The second layer is dentin. The third layer is pulp. This layer consists of a cavernous space inside the tooth where the live tissue and nerves are located.

If for any reason the pulp space is exposed to the outside, the tissue becomes contaminated and will eventually become infected. The exposure of pulp happens in circumstances such as when you have a large cavity or a fractured tooth. In cases such as these, root canal treatment is necessary.

Root canal treatment is the process of going inside the pulp layer and removing the infected tissue. Once that is done, the space is disinfected, then closed with a sealing material. Root canal treatment used to be time consuming and painful. No longer is that true. Today, root canal treatment is accomplished in a shorter amount of time and is nearly pain free. After your root canal treatment is complete, your restorative dentist will usually place a crown on your tooth to safeguard against fracture.

If you have any questions about root canal treatment, and you live in Orange County, give us a call, and our staff will be happy to answer your questions.

Root Canal Cost

The cost of root canal treatment depends on the position of a tooth and also the situation the tooth is in. Generally speaking it costs more to get a root canal treatment on back teeth or teeth with previous root canal treatments and or complicated root structures. Give us a call and we will be glad to check your insurance and give you information about the cost of your root canal treatment.

Root Canal Re-Treatment

When a root canal treatment fails, the first course of action that is usually taken is to redo the root canal treatment; i.e., root canal re-treatment. Often, this is to be done by an Endodontist (root canal specialist). Root canal re-treatment is similar to the initial root canal treatment. The difference is that he root canal re-treatment involves not only removing the infected tissue, but also the old filling material, posts, and crowns. This is necessary to successfully disinfect and seal the area of the root canal.

After the root canal re-treatment is done, your restorative dentist will place a crown on the tooth to protect it against fractures. If you have any questions about root canal treatment and re-treatment, and you live in Tustin, Irvine, Newport Beach or surrounding cities, give us a call, and our staff will be happy to answer your questions.

What is an Endodontist?

If you are reading this page, it probably means that your general dentist has referred you to see an endodontist for consultation and/or treatment on one or more of your teeth. You may be thinking, “What is an endodontist and why am I being referred?”

An endodontist is a dental specialist who deals with infections that occur inside the tooth. You might be experiencing pain due to hot or cold temperatures, biting, swelling, gum sensitivity, abscess, discoloration of the tooth, or you may have no symptoms at all. You might be experiencing these symptoms because of deep decay, trauma, chipping, cracking, or repeated dental procedures.

In some cases, the inside of a tooth (aka the pulp) dies for no apparent reason. There are several ways in which an endodontist can save teeth that have infections or necrosis (deadening of the tissue), but the most common procedure is root canal treatment. More than fourteen million teeth receive some form of root canal treatment each year, so rest assured, you’re not alone. Moreover, you’re in good hands.

An endodontist must complete two years of post doctorate education to become a specialist. That’s nearly ten years of college. Our staff consists of the top endodontists in Orange County. When looking for Orange County root canal treatment, our knowledgeable staff is available to answer any question you may have. Call us today.