Root Canal Specialist
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Downey Smile Center
Dentists located in Downey, CA
A decaying or infected tooth can leave you in a great deal of pain and make your mouth susceptible to further damage. Find relief right away at the Downey Smile Center. Won Young Kim, DDS offers expert root canal services to families in the Downey, California, area. He also has a knack for turning this scary-sounding procedure into a “that wasn’t so bad” experience. Call our friendly staff to make an appointment before your tooth causes any more trouble.
Root Canal Q & A
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a procedure that attempts to save a decayed or infected tooth. During treatment, your dentist will remove the pulp (nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue) inside the tooth, then disinfect and seal the tooth to prevent further damage. Since the pulp inside the tooth isn’t vital to the function or health of the tooth, removal isn’t a problem.
What happens during a root canal?
First, your dentist takes X-rays to examine the tooth and surrounding bone to gauge whether or not a root canal is appropriate. If he decides to proceed, he numbs the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic.
He then creates a rubber dam around your tooth to keep the area dry during the procedure. Then, he drills a hole into the tooth and cleans out the pulp with a root canal file, clearing out debris with water as he goes.
Your dentist either seals the tooth during the same appointment or makes another appointment for that procedure. To cement the tooth, he places sealer paste inside the root canal. Your dentist then uses regular cavity filling to fill the hole made by the drill. After that, he may decide to cover the tooth with a crown to protect against fracture.
Does getting a root canal hurt?
Although you might imagine a root canal to be a scary procedure, most people say the experience feels no different than getting a filling. Often the tension and pain leading up to the procedure are worse than the procedure itself. You can find comfort knowing advanced technology makes the procedure easier and faster than ever.
What happens after a root canal?
After your root canal, you should find relief from the pain of your infection, but the first few days may leave your tooth sensitive and your gums inflamed. This temporary discomfort should gradually fade until your tooth feels like new again.
After your root canal, you can floss and brush your teeth like normal. The procedure carries a 95% success rate for preserving your original tooth and providing a permanent solution.
If you’ve been putting it off, find relief by scheduling your root canal with one of the friendly dentists at Downey Smile Center.
