Root Canal

Are you experiencing the telltale symptoms of tooth inflammation or infection? If so, book a consultation for a laser-assisted root canal with Kathy Soleimani, DDS, at Dental Aesthetics and Wellness Center in Aliso Viejo, California. Using the Fotona LightWalker® laser, Dr. Soleimani performs virtually pain-free root canal treatments with superior long-term outcomes. To schedule your appointment, reach out to Dental Aesthetics and Wellness Center.

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Root Canal Q&A

What is a root canal?

A root canal, also known as root canal treatment, is a dental procedure that can save a tooth that has been badly damaged by trauma, infection, or an abscess.

Root canals treat a part of the tooth called the pulp. The pulp is a soft substance that is contained in the innermost layer of the tooth, called the pulp chamber. The pulp chamber extends all the way down to the roots via the root canal. The pulp is made up of connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels.

Root canals relieve pain and other symptoms by removing the bacteria, inflammation, and debris from the pulp chamber.

Who needs a root canal?

If your enamel becomes compromised and bacteria finds a way into your pulp chamber, you can experience inflammation and infection. This can be very painful and causes numerous symptoms that you may only be able to relieve with root canal treatment.

Such symptoms include:

Inflammation
Severe pain when you chew or bite
Tooth sensitivity to hot temperatures, even after you remove the source of discomfort
Tender or swollen gums
Darkening gums
Deep decay in your gums
Pimples on the gums
Tooth discoloration
Persistent bad breath

To determine whether a root canal can help you, Dr. Soleimani examines your mouth and takes X-rays.

What happens during a root canal?

Before she starts your treatment, Dr. Soleimani numbs the area using a local anesthesia. If you’re anxious about your treatment, she may also offer you sedation.

To access your root canal, Dr. Soleimani then makes a tiny hole in your tooth enamel using the Fotona LightWalker® laser. Once she has access, Dr. Soleimani uses this same laser to clear out all infected and damaged pulp.

As the laser eradicates decay and debris in your pulp chamber and root canal, it also kills bacteria.

Once Dr. Soleimani has cleaned and sterilized the area, she dries it and seals it with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Gutta-percha protects your tooth from further damage and reinfection. After this, Dr. Soleimani finishes your treatment by filling your tooth or placing a crown over it.

Do root canals hurt?

Thanks to Dr. Soleimani’s gentle expertise and her use of the Fotona LightWalker laser, you can expect a root canal at Dental Aesthetics and Wellness Center to be virtually painless.

Laser-assisted root canals allow for greater precision that leads to better outcomes both in the short and long term. They cause less bleeding than traditional root canals, and the laser eliminates the somewhat alarming sound and feel of drilling in your mouth.

Though you may experience some localized soreness for a few days after your treatment, you experience nearly instantaneous relief from your previous pain. If the soreness bothers you, treat it with over-the-counter pain medication.

If you think that you need a root canal, you have nothing to fear. Instead, book an appointment with the experts at Dental Aesthetics and Wellness Center online or over the phone day. Experience a holistic approach to dental care available in Laguna Hills, CA, and Laguna Woods, CA, with specialized root canal treatments ensuring your oral health is managed with the latest techniques and a focus on your overall well-being.