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Root Canal

Apex Dental offers excellent and effective root canal treatments in Folsom!

When the nerve of your tooth becomes infected, a successful root canal treatment allows you to keep the tooth rather than having to pull it out. This is beneficial for two reasons: firstly, keeping your tooth helps to prevent your other teeth from drifting out of line and causing jaw problems. Secondly, saving a natural tooth avoids having to replace it with an artificial tooth.


What is a root canal?

A root canal, also known as endodontic treatment, is the process of removing infected, injured or dead pulp from your tooth. The space inside the hard layers of each tooth is called the root canal system. This system is filled with soft dental pulp made up of nerves and blood vessels that help your tooth grow and develop.

When bacteria enter your tooth through deep cavities, cracks or flawed fillings, your tooth can become infected. A tooth with an infection in the pulp is referred to as an abscessed tooth. If pulp becomes infected, it needs to be removed. An abscessed tooth may cause pain and/or swelling. Your dentist may notice the infection from a dental x-ray or from other changes with the tooth. If left untreated, an abscessed tooth can cause serious oral health problems!


Who performs this procedure?

Dr. Shah may perform this procedure or refer you to an endodontist. We have an endodontist who comes to our office once a month to perform root canals. Endodontists specialize in the treatment of the dental pulp or nerve of the tooth.

For young children, Dr. Shah may refer you to a pediatric dentist.


Tooth restoration after root canal treatment

After a root canal, your tooth has to be restored to look, feel and work as much like a natural tooth as possible. If an endodontist performed your root canal, he or she will fill the opening of the tooth with a temporary filling and send you back to your dentist or prosthodontist for tooth restoration.

A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who restores and replaces teeth using crowns, bridges, dentures and implants. Your dentist or specialist may use a permanent filling or a crown to restore your tooth. The choice of restoration will depend on the strength of the part of the tooth that's left. A back tooth will likely need a crown because chewing puts a great deal of force on back teeth. If there is not enough of the tooth left, posts may be used to help support the crown.


Root canal retreatment