Saving Your Natural Teeth with Precision Care
Severe tooth pain, sensitivity, or swelling may indicate that the pulp inside your tooth is infected or inflamed. Root canal therapy is a highly effective treatment that removes the damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it to prevent further issues—all while preserving your natural tooth structure. At Perfect Smile Dental Care, we use modern techniques to make the process comfortable and efficient.
With the skill of dentists in Orange County, every root canal is performed with precision to relieve pain, stop infection, and restore oral health.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy
- Persistent tooth pain or pressure
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
- Swelling or tenderness in the gums
- Darkening of the affected tooth
- A pimple-like bump on the gums near the tooth
The Root Canal Procedure
- Diagnosis: We examine the tooth and take digital X-rays to determine the extent of the damage.
- Anesthesia & Comfort Measures: Local anesthesia ensures you remain comfortable throughout the procedure.
- Cleaning & Shaping: The infected pulp is removed, and the canal is thoroughly cleaned and shaped.
- Filling & Sealing: The canal is filled with a biocompatible material and sealed to prevent reinfection.
- Restoration: A dental crown is placed to strengthen and protect the treated tooth.
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
- Preserves your natural tooth
- Relieves pain and discomfort
- Prevents the spread of infection
- Restores normal chewing and bite function
- Avoids the need for extraction and replacement
Aftercare and Recovery
Integrating Root Canal Therapy with Comprehensive Care
Root canal treatment often pairs with other restorative dentistry services , such as dental crowns, to fully restore strength and function. Our team ensures that your tooth not only feels better but also looks and performs like the rest of your natural teeth.
Serving Patients Across Orange County
FAQs: Root Canal Therapy
Is a root canal painful?
How long does the procedure take?
Will my tooth need special care afterward?
Can an infection come back?
Is extraction a better option?
How do I know if I need a root canal?
You may require a root canal if your tooth is infected and the infection has spread to the inner pulp of the tooth. This condition can be signified by the following symptoms:
- Severe and persistent toothache
- Swelling in the gums around the tooth or in the jaw and face
- Changes in the tooth’s color (it can become gray, brown, or black)
- Persistent bad breath or unpleasant taste in the mouth
Also, a root canal may be required for restoring chipped, cracked, or broken teeth.
How much does a root canal cost?
The price of a root canal procedure can range between $700 and $1,800. The final cost will depend on what tooth is treated, as the teeth at the back of the mouth have multiple canals and are more expensive to treat than the front teeth. Also, the extent of the infection or damage can influence the price significantly.
Is a root canal covered by insurance?
Root canal therapy is typically covered by the majority of dental insurance plans. However, your insurance is likely to cover around 50% of the total cost, as a root canal is considered a major procedure. The remaining balance will need to be paid out-of-pocket in the dental office immediately after the procedure.
Can a root canal save my tooth?
Root canal therapy is often effectively used to save severely infected, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth. However, if the infection has destroyed the majority of the tooth’s structure or the tooth is broken at the gum line, your tooth is likely to be extracted instead. Later, you will be able to replace the tooth with a bridge or an implant.
What is the success rate of root canal treatment?
When the root canal is performed correctly, there is an 85% to 95% chance of your tooth surviving after the procedure. Typically, the success rate is higher for root canals followed by dental crown placement, as a crown reinforces the treated tooth and protects it from further damage
Do you offer same-day or emergency root canal treatment?
At the Perfect Smile Garden Grove dental office, we offer same-day and emergency root canal treatments. If you experience severe toothache and swelling in the gums of the jaw, we encourage you to contact our office at (714) 276-8226, and we will do our best to admit you as soon as possible.
What should I do before and after a root canal?
Before your root canal procedure, we recommend having a good night’s rest to help your body recover faster. It is also important to have a full meal before heading out to the dental office, as you will not be able to eat for a few hours after the procedure.
After a root canal, avoid eating until the anesthetic wears off. Then, chew on the opposite side of your mouth and switch to a soft diet for 3 to 4 days. Also, maintain a good oral hygiene routine, be gentle when cleaning at the procedure site, abstain from smoking, alcohol, and strenuous activities, and get plenty of rest.
What happens if I delay or avoid a root canal?
When a tooth becomes infected, it is not going to heal on its own. If you delay root canal therapy, the infection will advance and can destroy the tooth’s structure and spread to the surrounding tissue and jawbone. As a result, your tooth may have to be extracted and later replaced with a bridge or an implant, leading to more expenses.
Schedule Your Root Canal Consultation
