Most folks put off going to the dentist at all costs, but it can wind up doing you a great disservice to disregard dental work, as it often leads to other more serious issues down the line. It’s important to find a dental group nearest to you that you can trust and allows you to rest easy knowing you’re in good hands. Experiencing dental pain and discomfort can put a huge damper on your daily life, and it can be frustrating trying to figure out the best course of action. When a tooth becomes decayed, one of the potential solutions may be a root canal treatment. Root canal treatments are beneficial and superior to other dental alternatives for various reasons, and it might even allow you to save a decayed tooth from extraction. Here are some questions and answers about root canal treatments that may help you learn more about the procedure:
Q: What is a root canal?
A: A root canal treatment is a method of endodontic therapy where a professional dentist removes inflamed or infected tissue that has begun the process of necrosis (i.e. the tissue beneath the tooth is dying due to bacteria, inflammation, or infection). Root canals can be a helpful form of dental treatment that can save your natural tooth from having to be removed all together. Your dentist will likely take X-rays of your teeth, use a local anesthetic to numb the tooth, and then begin the process of removing the infected tissue and filling and sealing the tooth to prevent further infection or complications.
Q: Why might someone need a root canal?
A: Many people believe that dental problems arise due to poor dental hygiene or bad brushing and flossing habits; however, despite our best efforts to care for our teeth, they can still encounter issues. Genetics play a large role in dental health, and sometimes what happens to our teeth is out of our control. What is in your control is how you choose to handle a dental issue, such as an infection. Root canals can become necessary if you’ve had a long-standing, untreated cavity that becomes infected or if you sustained an injury to your tooth at some point that was never addressed.
Q: What are the benefits of a root canal over another option?
A: The usual alternative to a root canal is an extraction—this is where they remove the tooth in question. Unfortunately, an extraction leaves you with few options to prevent your teeth from moving once there is an empty space in your mouth where your tooth once was. Generally dentists recommend having an implant tooth put in as a place-holder of sorts, but this can come with a list of complications and issues down the line. Root canals are generally quick procedures, they are effective and affordable, and they save your natural tooth from extraction.
Q: How is our process different from other dentist practices?
A: Most dentistry practices use the same step-by-step method of performing a root canal, 
and at Dental Group of Simi Valley, we use the same process; however, we utilize state-of-the-art technology that cuts the wait time down significantly and provides clients with an end product that they’re happier with. The whole point of saving a natural tooth is to keep a person’s smile looking the same. Unfortunately, when dentists use less than optimal technology to create a natural crown it doesn’t always look right. Using ceramic technology, we pride ourselves on our natural-looking results, every time.
Using state-of-the-art equipment, and CEREC® Dentistry methodology, our root canal treatments are an exceptional option to tooth extraction. When a tooth becomes decayed, we thoroughly exam the patient first. Using this technology, we can get more accurate diagnoses, have better chances of saving natural teeth, and restore smiles to their original charm and beauty. Our tooth restorations are metal-free and highly efficient cost- and time-wise. Since 1963 we have been providing Simi Valley and the surrounding areas with dental services that surpass many of the surrounding practices. We pride ourselves on our long-standing business and our ability to help clients look and feel their best when they leave our offices. For more information about our root canal process, contact our office directly to speak with a friendly staff member.
