Root Canal Therapy Cerritos, CA

If you are experiencing chronic tooth pain, swelling, and sensitivity, you may have an infected or irritated pulp (commonly referred to as the nerve of the tooth). Fortunately, we can provide you with relief in the form of a root canal in Cerritos.

While this might sound scary, don’t worry. Root canal treatment is a safe, effective way to treat issues that damage the pulp and help you find relief from pain. With our state-of-the-art technology, you can be assured you’ll get the highest quality dental care in the most comfortable manner possible.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is more commonly called a root canal for short. A root canal in Cerritos is a method of treating damaged, irritated, or dying pulp tissue.

The pulp is housed in the tooth’s pulp chamber, which is the third layer of your tooth, under the dentin, which is under the enamel. The pulp tissue is made up of nerve, lymphatic, connective, and venous tissues and is a very sensitive tissue.

When the pulp becomes infected, irritated, or otherwise damaged, it can cause severe pain. The purpose of root canal therapy is to:

Remove the damaged pulp tissue
Stop the infection
Stop tooth degeneration
Relieve pain
Remove any decay in the tooth

It is important to note that once the pulp tissue has been removed, the tooth is no longer alive. There’s nothing “feeding” the tooth nutrients from the body. Therefore, the tooth can become brittle. This is why, after a root canal in Cerritos, we will use a strong dental material to build the tooth back up, after which we will place a dental crown. The build-up and crown provide structure and stability so that the tooth can withstand bite pressure.

What Are the Signs I Might Need Root Canal Therapy in Cerritos?

Ideally, every patient visits their Cerritos dentist twice a year for cleanings and check-ups. These appointments help us catch issues in the early stages – before you experience pain or the tooth becomes too damaged to repair with a less invasive procedure.

However, trauma can happen at any time and cause damage to the pulp tissue of even the healthiest of teeth. Regardless of whether it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist or you’ve experienced trauma, here are some signs that you might need a root canal in Cerritos.

Deep dental decay
A deep crack in the tooth
A broken filling
A fractured tooth
Exposed pulp
Pain in a tooth with a filling or crown
A red or white bump on your gums (abscess)
Pain with biting or chewing
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or beverages
Tender gum tissue
Gum swelling

What Should I Do If I Think I Might Need Root Canal Treatment in Cerritos?

If you think you might need root canal therapy, contact your Cerritos dentist right away. Your doctor will complete a thorough oral examination and take digital x-rays to determine what’s causing your symptoms.

What Happens If I Don’t Invest in Root Canal Therapy?

Due to dental fear and anxiety – as well as the negative connotations root canals have – some patients try to skip the treatment and just live with the pain.

However, an untreated infection can cause serious issues, such as even more severe pain, bone loss, and loss of the tooth. The bacteria from a dental infection can also travel to various areas of the body – such as the heart or brain – and not only cause damage but put the person’s life in danger.

What Are the Benefits of Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal therapy offers many health benefits, including:

Improved oral health
Less stress on the immune system
Increased energy (since your body is no longer fighting an infection)

A root canal in Cerritos can also help us:

Save the natural tooth and avoid an extraction
Prevent bone loss around the tooth
Provide immediate pain relief
Reduce long-term sensitivity
Reduce your chance of the infection spreading and causing oral and general health complications

What Happens at a Root Canal Appointment?

Your Cerritos dentist will start by numbing your tooth and the surrounding gum tissue to ensure you stay as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure. If you have dental anxiety, we can also administer dental sedation.

Once you’re completely numb, your dentist will use their high-speed handpiece to gently open the tooth. They will go in through the biting surface on the back teeth or the back of the tooth if it’s a front tooth that needs treatment.

At this point, your dentist will remove any decay that’s present in the tooth. Once they reach the pulp chamber, they will use tiny instruments that resemble small scrub brushes to remove the pulp tissue from the pulp chamber, as well as the canals in the roots of the teeth.

After removing all the tissue, they’ll disinfect the tooth, pulp chamber, and root canals. Then, they’ll seal the tooth with a substance called gutta-percha. Finally, they’ll fill the tooth with a temporary filling material. They will allow the tooth to heal for a while before placing the permanent build-up and crown.

Throughout a root canal in Cerritos, your dental team will take x-rays to make sure:

They’ve thoroughly cleaned out all the pulp tissue
The canals are clean all the way down to the base of the root tips
The gutta-percha has filled the canals from base to tip

Is a Root Canal Painful?

Believe it or not, the actual root canal treatment is relatively painless since we will use local anesthesia as needed to numb the area. In fact, getting the treatment will be far less painful than the pain you’ve been experiencing.

How Much Does a Root Canal in Cerritos Cost?

Your insurance may help with the cost of root canal therapy, which can average around $1,000. Your exact costs may be different depending on the severity of your case and how much your insurance is willing to cover. At Dentist of Cerritos, we offer flexible payment and financing options to support your dental health needs.

You Don’t Need to Suffer in Pain

Have you ever heard the phrase “just grin and bear it”? Your Cerritos dentist doesn’t recommend doing that if you’re experiencing dental pain or sensitivity.

As soon as you notice an issue – whether it’s a shooting pain, bleeding gums, or a broken tooth – contact your dental team right away. The sooner we get a diagnosis, the sooner we can get you out of pain.

You aren’t supposed to notice your teeth. In an ideal scenario, your teeth simply function, helping you to chew and speak. So, if you notice any changes in the way your teeth or gums look, feel, or function, your Cerritos dentist wants to know about it as soon as possible.

Get Relief from Pain With a Root Canal In Cerritos

Are you experiencing dental pain or sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure? You might need a root canal. Contact us immediately to schedule an appointment.