Root Canals In Montebello, CA

Root canals are necessary when the inside of your tooth has become infected by oral bacteria. This can happen if the outer, hard layers of enamel and dentin that protect your tooth are damaged by decay, or are broken due to dental trauma. This exposes the vulnerable pulp inside your tooth. The pulp is full of blood vessels and nerves, and it’s what keeps your tooth alive. As it becomes infected, the pulp will begin to die. Eventually, this will result in the loss of your tooth.

In root canal therapy, a small opening in the tooth is created in order to access the root canals and infected pulp. Dr. Winslow will remove the infected material, clean and fill the canals, and either seal the tooth with a filling or cap it with a dental crown. This saves and restores your tooth, and protects it from further decay.

The process of root canal therapy is minimally-invasive. It usually takes only a single, 1-2 hour appointment at your Montebello dentist, located at 1900 W Whittier Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640. First, Dr. Winslow will begin by cleaning your mouth, and numbing the affected area.
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Once your mouth is numb, he will use a dental drill to create a small opening in the tooth, and remove any decayed or damaged enamel from the area. Through this opening, Dr. Winslow will use a variety of special tools to remove decayed, infected pulp and tooth material.
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Next, the tooth and canals will be flushed with disinfectant. Once it’s completely sanitized, Dr. Winslow will fill it with a special rubber-like material, which will stabilize the inside of the tooth and help it maintain its structure. Then, the tooth will be covered with a filling or a dental crown.

The most common sign of an infected tooth that requires a root canal is a severe, prolonged toothache that lasts more than 2-3 days. This may indicate that the pulp of your tooth has become infected, and is decaying and/or dying.

You may also notice discoloration and swelling in the gums around the affected tooth, which is a sign of extensive infection. In severe cases, you may even notice swelling in the nearby areas of the cheek and face. If you recognize one or more of these symptoms, come to our office right away to meet with our Montebello restorative dentist.

There is no extended healing or recovery process for root canal therapy. You might feel a little bit of soreness and tenderness near the affected area, but you can immediately return to your normal day-to-day activities. From the patient’s perspective, the procedure is comparable to having a cavity filled.