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Endodontics

General Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry & Orthodontics located in Montebello, CA located in Montebello, CA

Endodontics services offered in Montebello, CA

You may not spend much time thinking about the interior areas of your teeth, until or unless a problem arises. At that point, it may be difficult to think of little else, and your first call should be to David Moghimi, DDS, and the team at Dr. David’s Family Dentistry and Orthodontics in Montebello, California. Online booking for endodontics is also an option and available around the clock. 

Endodontics Q & A

What is endodontics?

Endodontics is an area of dental practice focused on correcting problems in the interior areas of your teeth. Teeth are living structures, and the innermost chamber is a hollow area filled with a soft tissue called pulp. 

Dental pulp is a network of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. Pulp can become infected, and because there is limited room inside your tooth to accommodate inflammation, significant pain usually develops. 

Endodontic treatments reach the inner chamber of a tooth to remove all infected pulp (root canal) or re-treat previous root canals that were unsuccessful. Options include root canal therapy and re-treatment of failed root canals.  

 

What are some signs I might need endodontics care?

Infected teeth usually present clear symptoms. Dental pain is a primary sign of an infected tooth, especially pain that worsens when you bite or chew. 

 

Additional signs of an infected tooth include:

  • Pimple-like sores on your gums
  • Darkened gum tissue
  • Heightened sensitivity to heat or cold, even after the source is removed
  • Cracked or chipped tooth
  • Tooth discoloration

If you experience these changes, your dentist can perform a quick assessment to determine if you need a root canal.

 

What are the steps involved in root canal treatment?

If you and your dentist decide to move forward with a root canal, the first step is usually imaging to learn more about the tooth and nearby structures. On the day of your procedure, an injection of numbing medication ensures you remain comfortable throughout the process. 

Your dentist begins by creating a small opening in your tooth to gain access to the inner chamber. The next step involves using a series of dental tools called files to remove all traces of infected dental pulp.

Once they rinse and prepare your cleared chamber, they fill the chamber with a material called gutta percha down into the canals of the tooth roots. A small filling closes the access opening, and a set of impressions provides the dental lab with the specification needed to create your custom dental crown. 

A temporary crown protects your tooth until the permanent version arrives. At that point, you return to have the new crown cemented into place, completing the restoration. The practice also offers re-treatment of failed root canals. 

For more information, book a visit at Dr. David’’s Family Dentistry and Orthodontics online or over the phone.