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Few phrases can elicit as many groans as “root canal,” and many patients will avoid seeing a dentist at even though they are in a lot of pain if they suspect they need this procedure. But in reality, root canal therapy is a pain-relieving procedure and is often the only way to save your natural tooth, eliminating the need for extraction and a costly tooth replacement. At Shadowridge Dental Group in San Marcos

, CA we use the latest dental technologies and methods to help keep you comfortable throughout your root canal therapy and get you out of pain quickly.

What is root canal therapy?

The tooth has two main structures: the crown, which is the white portion that you see above the gumline, and root, which is embedded in your jaw bone and keeps your tooth firmly in place. Within the root is a canal that contains the pulp chamber of the tooth, which houses the blood vessels, pulp tissue, and pain-sensing nerves in the tooth. Sometimes, irreversible damage to this area occurs and root canal therapy is the only way to save the natural tooth from extraction. This might be due to issues such as:

  • Deep decay
  • Infection
  • Trauma to the mouth

Sometimes, decades-old injuries (such as those caused during sports) can remain dormant for many years and then begin causing pain seemingly out of nowhere.

During root canal treatment, we numb the area surrounding the tooth so that you are comfortable and do not experience any pain during the procedure. Then, we create a small hole in the tooth crown to access the inner contents of the tooth, remove the infected or damaged material from the pulp chamber, and sanitize the area to remove any bacteria or debris. Finally, we fill the tooth with a rubber-like material and seal the tooth off with either a filling or a dental crown.

Do root canals hurt?

This is one of the most common questions that we receive about root canal treatment. Because we numb your tooth and remove the pain-sensing nerves during the treatment, you will be comfortable and pain-free during the procedure. You will experience some pain or tenderness in the area for a few days after your treatment, but over-the-counter medications are typically sufficient to manage it.

Learn More About Root Canal

Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful, but when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth, the root and its nerves become irritated. As a result, the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure, the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with a natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95 percent or greater. Most root canals are diagnosed by patients’ sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist if any symptoms or discomfort occur.


Call us today

When treated rapidly, a severely damaged tooth can be saved with root canal therapy and you can rapidly get out of pain. However, it is vital to call us as soon as you experience the onset of symptoms or it may progress to an untreatable stage. Call Shadowridge Dental Group at (760) 284-8111 for your evaluation.