A root canal is an option used to save a tooth rather than extract it. The basic goal of a root canal is to restore a tooth to its natural healthy state by removing the damaged or diseased interior of the tooth known as the dental pulp, which contains blood vessels and nerves. Bacteria that find a way into the dental pulp leads to an infection.

Many circumstances allow bacteria to enter a tooth, including:

• A sudden accident or injury
• Repeated restoration attempts
• A broken, chipped or cracked tooth
• An abscess or pocket of pus around a tooth root

The most common sign that you may have a dental infection is a toothache. Typically you’ll feel pain ranging from dull to intense that worsens when you bite down.

Other symptoms include:

• Tooth discoloration
• Swelling near gums or bones
• Tooth tenderness when touched
• A lingering sensitivity to cold or hot foods

Although some dental practices need multiple appointments to complete a root canal, Dr. di Bari performs root canals in one sitting. There are three key steps in the root canal process.

Step One

Dr. di Bari gives you a local anesthetic to numb the tooth, and he keeps the area of your mouth where he’ll be working isolated and free of saliva.

Step Two

Then Dr. di Bari creates a small hole in the tooth so he can access and remove the infected dental pulp. Once he removes the pulp, he prepares the canal and reshapes it, if necessary. He then fills the tooth with the artificial dental pulp called gutta-percha. This material is mixed with an adhesive to seal the root canal.

Step Three

During this last step, Dr. di Bari covers the hole he created to start the treatment by filling it with a permanent restoration or dental crown. For a few days after the treatment, you may feel sensitivity or discomfort, which over-the-counter drugs can likely treat.

If you have a toothache and think you may have a dental infection, contact Dr. di Bari of Sunnyvale, California, right away for an appointment. Book online or call today.