How a Root Canal Puts an End to Toothaches

There’s a common misconception about root canals. People believe they’re incredibly painful, the kind of pain that makes you scream all night without relief.

The truth is, the root canal procedure removes the damaged nerve and inner pulp of your decayed or infected tooth, thereby relieving your pain. It’s the lead-up phase that’s so painful.

At Manteca Dental Care in Manteca, California, Dr. Rick Van Tran and our team understand your trepidation when it comes to root canals, but we assure you the procedure will put an end to your pain as fast as we can numb you up. Here’s how it works.

What is dental pulp, and why does it need to be removed?

The pulp is the area of soft tissue that fills the center of your tooth; it contains the highly sensitive nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The nerve is located in the root of your tooth, the part that’s anchored in your jawbone. Each tooth has 1-3 canals that travel from the root tip into the pulp chamber.

Your tooth's pulp can become irritated, inflamed, and/or infected for many reasons, including deep decay, repeated dental procedures, large fillings, a crack or chip in your tooth that allows bacteria to penetrate, or trauma to your face.

When the pulp is damaged, it breaks down and bacteria multiply. If bacteria reach your nerve, which is often the case, you experience sharp, intense pain that won’t let up. The bacteria and remnants of the dying pulp can also cause an infection or abscessed tooth, a pus-filled pocket that develops at the end of your tooth's root.

The solution? Perform a root canal, removing the nerve and pulp from the entire inner portion of your tooth, including down to the end of the canals.

What is the root canal procedure like?

You’ll definitely like the first step. Dr. Tran gives you a local anesthetic and suddenly your pain is just a memory. Your toothache will be gone for good.

The next step is to take an X-ray to look for any signs of infection in your surrounding bone and determine what work needs to be done.

To keep the area dry and sterile while he works, Dr. Tran places a rubber dam around your tooth. Now, he’s ready to begin.

Dr. Tran drills an access hole into the top of your tooth. He removes the pulp, along with bacteria and related debris using special root canal files. 

He places a series of these files, of increasing diameter, into the access hole and works them down the full length of your tooth to the root tip, scraping and scrubbing the sides of your canals. He uses either water or sodium hypochlorite to flush away the debris.

Once your tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it needs to be sealed. However, not all dentists do this immediately. Instead, they may wait a week or so, placing medication in the canals to clear up any infection instead of sealing it in. Others choose to seal your tooth the same day they clean it out if it appears there’s no infection. Either way, there won’t be any pain.

If your root canal isn’t completed on the same day, Dr. Tran places a temporary filling in the exterior hole in your tooth to prevent contaminants from getting in.

At a second appointment, Dr. Tran fills the interior of your tooth with a sealer paste and rubber compound called gutta-percha, making sure to pack the canals. He finishes up by using a filling to close the exterior access hole.

Restoration

You could leave your tooth the way it is, without a crown, but it will be more vulnerable to breaking because of the root canal procedure. The best option is to restore the visible portion using a dental crown.

Dr. Tran makes a mold of your root canal tooth and sends it to the lab to manufacture your crown. When it comes back, you return for your final appointment to cement your crown in place. Your tooth is now a fully functional part of your mouth again, though you’ll still need to be careful so you don’t damage your crown.

If your tooth is screaming in agony from inflammation or infection, contact Manteca Dental Care ASAP for a root canal procedure that will end your pain for good. Give us a call at 209-823-9218 or book an appointment online today.