Root Canals

Root Canal Therapy

Root canals or endodontic therapy is the treatment that involves the inner nerves of the teeth. When tooth decay or trauma becomes so extensive that it reaches the inner nerve canal of the tooth, and then the infected nerve must be treated in addition to the decayed or damaged tooth enamel. Untreated areas of nerve infection can result in severe pain, dental abscesses, destruction of bone, as well as subsequent infections in the head, neck of other parts of the body. Our San Diego dentist office provides root canal therapy to our patients in our cosmetic dentist office, so there is no need to refer you to another San Diego dentist for the treatment.

In order to treat the affected tooth, the nerve tissue inside of the inner chamber and canals through the roots must be removed. This removes any bacteria or infection from inside of the tooth. After the infected nerve has been removed, a filling material is placed inside of the tooth in order to seal off any future infection from entering into the tooth. This also preserves the longevity of the tooth, allowing it to stay in the mouth longer than it would have if the infection were allowed to exist.

Additional Needs

The standard of care for root canal therapy is to have a permanent crown placed over the tooth after the procedure is performed. A crown helps ensure the stability and function of the no longer vital tooth, allowing you to chew, bite and smile normally. Dr. Refahi will match the porcelain material in the crown to blend in nicely with your surrounding teeth. Our San Diego dental office uses one of the highest quality dental laboratories in the area for all of our treatments, ensuring the success and appearance that patients really want from their long-term dental procedures. Not placing a crown over a tooth that has received a root canal can make the tooth susceptible to excess wear, due to the brittleness of the enamel.

The Procedure

Root canal therapy has a long history of being a procedure that isn’t too enjoyable to have completed. In reality, root canals are similar to all other types of dental procedures. They may in some cases, require additional time for the treatment, as the number of roots in the tooth will affect the length of the procedure. Our office uses local anesthesia as well as nitrous oxide to ensure your comfort throughout the entire procedure. Following the treatment you may take over the counter medication to manage any discomfort that you may experience. Be sure to call our office and let us know if you are in need of a stronger pain medication. Dr. Refahi is one of the best dentists in San Diego and stands behind all treatment that he completes!