Root Canals

General and Cosmetic Dentistry located in West Covina, CA

Root Canals

Root Canals services offered in West Covina, CA

If you experience tooth pain, sensitivity, discomfort when chewing, you may have deep decay or an infection. AJ Suchak, DDS, and Om Suchak, DDS, can relieve your pain and strengthen your damaged teeth with root canal therapy at Queens Dental Group in West Covina, California. A root canal is a tooth-saving treatment that may restore your tooth function. Call or schedule an appointment at the Los Angeles-area practice online today to learn more. 

What are root canals?

A root canal is a procedure that removes pulp from the center of a damaged or decayed tooth. Pulp is a soft material that contains nerves and blood vessels. It’s vital to your early tooth development but serves less importance once your teeth fully mature. 

When decay or bacterial infections reach the center of your tooth, they can spread to your surrounding teeth. Pain and inflammation also occur, increasing your risk of tooth sensitivity and pain when chewing.

To preserve your natural tooth, the Queens Dental Group team may recommend a root canal. This procedure removes the damaged pulp and replaces it with a biocompatible material.

How do I know if I need root canals?

The signs of inner tooth damage are not always obvious. Many people don’t realize they need a root canal until they visit for a routine dental exam. Deep fractures, infections, and injuries are the most common causes of inner tooth pain and damage. Early warning signs that you need root canal therapy include:

  • Gum inflammation
  • Red, tender gums
  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Pain when chewing or biting
  • Tooth discoloration
  • Pain and swelling in nearby lymph nodes
  • Pimple on gums

A small bump on your gums can indicate a dental abscess. This pus-filled bump may contain harmful bacteria. If an abscess ruptures, it can spread bacteria into your bloodstream. Early intervention is critical to protect your health.

What happens during root canals?

The team uses local anesthesia to numb your teeth and gums during root canal therapy. Once your affected tooth is numb, they create a small access hole in its center. They use small dental instruments to extract the inflamed pulp and remove any surrounding debris. 

After cleansing and disinfecting the tooth chamber, the team replaces the pulp with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. They seal the access hole and place a filling to protect your tooth.

What happens after root canals?

After root canal therapy, the team may recommend a porcelain crown. This tooth-shaped cap covers and protects the visible portion of your tooth to restore its shape, size, and color. Porcelain crowns are durable and stain-resistant for enhanced protection against stains, decay, and dental pain.

Call Queens Dental Group today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about root canals.