Root Canal Therapy in San Ramon CA
As a comprehensive dental care provider, Hong Xie, DDS also provides root canal therapy in San Ramon CA and surrounding communities. With high level training and equipment, Dr. Xie makes endodontic therapy a much more streamlined and enjoyable experience for patients.
What is a root canal procedure?
The white outside portion of a tooth is called the enamel. Inside the enamel is another hard layer, the dentin. There’s a small chamber at the center of the dentin called the pulp chamber. Inside the pulp chamber is the tooth pulp, a soft tissue made up of nerves, arteries, and veins. The pulp extends from the pulp chamber all the way to the tip of the root, through a narrow channel called the root canal. When the nerve of a tooth becomes infected, root canal treatment can save the tooth. Germs causes infection in root canal and that builds up pus at the root tip. This can create a hole in the bone. An infected tooth will never heal on its own, and as it gets worse, it will continue to be a source of infection that weakens your immune system. This can affect your entire body. This damage to the bone and the swelling inside the bone can also be excruciatingly painful, and even life-threatening. Years ago, an infected tooth would have to be extracted, but today, we can save your tooth with root canal treatment. The treatment has been practiced for over 70 years. Latest technology has made is easier to practice and less painful.
More than 95 percent of root canal treatments are successful. However, sometimes a case needs to be redone due to diseased canal offshoots that went unnoticed or the fracturing of a canal filing instrument used, both of which rarely occur.
What is an alternative to root canal treatment? Root canal is done to save the tooth. Alternatively the tooth must be extracted and the infected bone around the tooth thoroughly curetted. The missing tooth then can be replaced by removable dentures, fixed bridgework or implants.
Professional Care For Root Canal in San Ramon CA
Root Canal Therapy or RCT, is a dental surgical technique where a hole is made in the affected tooth to gain access to the infected pulp that lies underneath. At that point, depending on the nature of the infection, antibiotics may be applied to clear the infection. The pulp itself may be removed if the infection is too severe, or other techniques may be used.
It is important to get proper RCT from a professional once you have been diagnosed with infected roots or pulp because, without treatment, this can lead to:
- An infected swelling that can spread to other parts of your mouth, face, and head.
- Bone loss around the root area
- Infected fluids can drain into the gums, spreading the infection further or even penetrating the cheek.
In every case, the outcome is the same; ignoring the problem will simply make it grow larger and potentially infect much more of your mouth, face, and head. But, with a proper diagnosis of the problem, a few RCT techniques can be employed depending on the severity of the infection. Some of the procedures that can be employed are:
Pulpectomy
In the less serious cases, only a partial root canal, or pulpectomy needs to be performed. This is a two-step process. The first visit will give access to the pulp to administer antibiotics and ensure that the infection is eliminated in other parts of your mouth and confined to the pulp.
Once your mouth has recovered somewhat, the next step is to remove the infected pulp, then thoroughly clean, disinfect and fill the formerly infected canal.
Apicoectomy
In cases where an infection is more severe and goes beyond the root tip, a dentist may suggest an apicoectomy. The root tip, tissue, and apical infection are treated, requiring a much larger area to be opened in your tooth. Once the treatment has been completed, a biocompatible, rubbery, plant-based material known as Gutta Percha is used to fill in space and seal the tooth from bacteria and possible reinfection.
Typically, root canals are recommended by a dentist after a thorough examination. However, if you haven’t visited a dentist for quite some time and are experiencing unusual amounts of pain in your tooth, the infected pulp may be the problem. Call our team at Hong Xie, DDS today for an accurate assessment and see if a root canal can treat your problem.
Hong Xie, DDS
111 Deerwood Rd STE 170
San Ramon CA 94583
(925) 326-9866
OFFICE HOURS
Monday
10:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday
By Appointment Only
Wednesday
By Appointment Only
Thursday
By Appointment Only
Friday
By Appointment Only
Saturday
10:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday
Closed