Root Canals in Los Angeles - When Might Root Canal Treatment Become Necessary?

Sometimes the pulp of a tooth can become infected. When this happens, it must be removed with root canal therapy. Root canals in Los Angeles are the only way to save the tooth. A mature tooth can survive very well without the pulp.

To understand how a root canal works, we need to have a basic understanding of the anatomy of the tooth. A tooth is hollow, like our bones, and is composed of several layers. The outermost layer, above the gum-line, is called the enamel. Enamel is the hardest and most mineralized substance in the body. Beneath the gum-line, a substance called cementum covers the tooth roots. Under the enamel and cementum is the dentin. The dentin is about as hard as bone, and, unlike the enamel, dentin contains nerve endings. Beneath the dentin is the dental pulp. The pulp is a vascular tissue, composed of capillaries, larger blood vessels, connective tissue, nerve fibers, and cells. The pulp is needed to nourish the tooth during its growth and development. After a tooth is fully mature, the only function of the pulp is to let us know if it is damaged or infected by transmitting pain.

A tooth that becomes sensitive to hot or cold food or beverages or hurts when biting down may indicate an infected tooth. A tooth that becomes discolored or that causes the gums to swell around a tooth may also indicate a dental infection. In some cases, a tooth will have no symptoms, but a dental exam and x-ray will reveal a tooth that requires root canals in Los Angeles.

We numb the area of the infected tooth with local anesthesia. A clamp is placed over the tooth, and a rubber dam is spread over the clamp to isolate the tooth and prepare it for the procedure. A small hole is then made through the enamel and dentin, and into the pulp. The pulp is then removed with small stainless steel files of increasing diameter. After the pulp has been removed, the inside walls of the roots are shaped, almost like a sculpture. During the procedure, fluids such as sodium hypochloride (bleach) and a compound containing ethylenediamine-tetraacetate (EDTA) are used to both kill remaining pulp tissue and bacteria within the roots, and remove dentin shavings produced by the files.

After the pulp is removed and the inside of the roots shaped, the canal is dried with paper cones. The canal is then filled with a substance called Gutta-percha. The Gutta-percha is then cemented into the roots with a sealer that usually contains zinc oxide and eugenol. The goal of the filling procedure is to hermetically seal off the tooth against bacteria.

Having your teeth checked on a regular basis by a dentist is the best way to prevent root canals in Los Angeles. Come in for a consultation to make sure your teeth are as healthy as they can be.






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