Root canal treatment helps save millions of teeth each year that might otherwise be lost. It’s a highly successful procedure with 9 out of 10 treated teeth lasting for 10 years or more with proper care after treatment.
If you’re experiencing severe pain when chewing, sensitivity to hot or cold, or swollen gums, you may need a root canal. The process is simple and effective: we remove the infected or inflamed pulp inside the tooth, carefully clean and disinfect the canal, and then seal it to prevent further infection. With good care, your natural tooth can stay strong for years to come.
At Bella Dental in Oxnard, CA, we understand that root canals can sound intimidating. But with modern techniques and our gentle, experienced team, treatment is more comfortable than ever. Costs vary depending on the tooth and the complexity of the case, but root canals are a smart investment in your long-term oral health.
A root canal treatment repairs and saves badly damaged or infected teeth instead of removing them. The term “root canal” comes from the natural cavity at the tooth’s center. This cavity contains the pulp chamber and root canals where nerve tissue and blood vessels live.
Your tooth’s dental pulp is soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It runs from the tooth’s crown down to the root tips and connects to surrounding tissues. The pulp helps during tooth development. A fully developed tooth can survive without it because nearby tissues continue to nourish it.
The root canal system consists of:
Your tooth might need a root canal treatment for several reasons:
Bacteria multiply in the pulp chamber as the infection grows. This creates pressure that causes pain. The infection can spread beyond the root tips and create an abscess in the surrounding bone.
Root canal treatment helps you keep your natural teeth, which has many benefits compared to extraction:
Your original tooth allows you to bite and chew naturally while also preserving proper sensation. Keeping the tooth helps your smile feel and function as it should.
A natural tooth supports the alignment of your bite and prevents surrounding teeth from wearing down unevenly or shifting out of place.
After a tooth is removed, the jawbone in that area can begin to deteriorate. Root canal treatment helps avoid this by keeping the natural root in place, which stimulates and maintains healthy bone.
Dental implants and bridges can replace missing teeth, but even the best options don’t fully match the structure or function of a natural tooth. Preserving your original tooth is often the better long-term solution.
Root canal therapy is usually more cost-effective than removing the tooth and replacing it with an implant or bridge. It also requires fewer appointments and less extensive treatment over time.
At Bella Dental in Oxnard, CA, we prioritize saving your natural teeth. We use precise and comfortable root canal procedures to keep your smile functioning properly.
Recognizing early signs of infection can help you get the right treatment in time. Acting quickly can save your tooth and prevent more serious complications.
Ongoing pain is often the first warning sign. You might notice:
The pain may come and go, but without treatment, it usually returns and worsens.
Infected teeth often cause swollen, tender gums. In more severe cases, the swelling can spread to your face or jaw. Enlarged lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck may also be present.
A tooth with internal damage may turn gray, brown, or black. This happens when blood flow is disrupted, and the pulp starts to break down.
A small bump on your gums, often filled with pus, could be a sign of an abscess. While it may provide temporary relief, the infection persists and requires treatment.
A root canal procedure becomes less daunting when you understand what happens during treatment. The experienced team at Bella Dental in Oxnard, CA, follows a proven approach that ensures results and patient comfort.
Your dental visit begins with a thorough examination of the affected tooth. Dental X-rays help explain the anatomy of the root canal system and show the extent of the infection. These images help identify problems like decay beneath fillings, bone loss, infection areas, and abscessed teeth.
Bella Dental uses modern digital X-ray technology that exposes patients to 80-90% less radiation than traditional methods. These detailed images help us to plan your treatments with precision.
We prioritize patient comfort during treatment. We use local anesthesia to numb the area. A dental dam, a thin rubber sheet, is placed around the tooth to keep it dry and clean. This barrier prevents saliva and bacteria from getting in and protects you from swallowing materials during the procedure. It also improves visibility for a better treatment process.
We start by creating a small opening in your tooth after placing a dental dam. Special dental tools are used to remove infected pulp, nerves, and tissues from the root canals. The empty canals are then cleaned and disinfected with antimicrobial solutions, like sodium hypochlorite, to kill bacteria and eliminate any signs of infection.
Clean canals are filled with a biocompatible, rubber-like material called gutta-percha. This thermoplastic filling material is heated and compressed into the canal with adhesive cement to seal it. Together, gutta-percha and sealant prevent bacteria from getting back in and help protect against future infections.
After a root canal, your tooth needs a dental crown for protection. Since root-filled teeth are more prone to breaking, a crown offers important support. It restores the tooth’s size, shape, and function while preventing fractures. At Bella Dental, each crown is designed to match the look of your natural teeth for both protection and aesthetics.
Recovery after a root canal depends on proper aftercare. Mild discomfort is common and usually subsides within a few days, though some may experience pain lasting 3-9 days.
After your root canal at Bella Dental in Oxnard, you might feel tenderness and jaw soreness from the procedure. Over-the-counter pain medication can help. Most modern treatments aim to reduce pain, and you can usually resume normal activities the next day, though some sensitivity may linger.
The food choices you make play a vital role in your recovery. Until your treatment finishes:
Soft foods work best during healing. Try yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, and soups.
Your dentist might suggest taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with pain after your root canal. NSAID medications are effective for managing discomfort.
For the first two days, you can use a cold compress on your face to reduce swelling. After that, switch to warm compresses to help relax your jaw muscles.
It’s also important to take care of your mouth. Start gently brushing and flossing around the treated area after 24 hours. Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day can help ease discomfort and prevent infections.
Call Bella Dental right away if you notice:
Proper aftercare helps your comfort and the long-term success of your root canal treatment.
Choosing the right dental provider is crucial for a successful root canal. Bella Dental in Oxnard, CA, prioritizes your oral health and comfort.
Dr. Mahyar Cohen leads Bella Dental with impressive credentials. He graduated with honors from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC and has been providing exceptional quality general and cosmetic dentistry to the Oxnard community since 2016.
At Bella Dental, we stand out with our comprehensive approach to root canal therapy. Dr. Cohen uses advanced diagnostic methods to accurately assess your condition and develops a personalized treatment plan based on his findings. This ensures you receive the precise care you need.
We understand that many patients feel anxious about dental visits, particularly for root canals.
Our practice guarantees:
Dr. Cohen performs root canal procedures using advanced techniques, ensuring natural-looking results while preserving tooth function. His experience allows him to manage even complex cases effectively.
Bella Dental provides root canal services in a clean, safe, and comfortable environment, catering to both emergencies and scheduled appointments. We strive to accommodate all patients and address any treatment concerns.
Does dental pain bother you? Want to save your natural tooth? Contact Bella Dental today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Cohen. Take your first step toward better oral health.
Modern root canal treatment relieves pain rather than causes it. Today’s dentists use effective numbing techniques, making the procedure feel like a filling. Patients report root canals as “painless” six times more often than those who haven’t had one.
You risk losing your infected tooth completely when you put off needed root canal treatment. The infection can spread to other teeth and even your jawbone. Early treatment of decay is always more affordable and less painful than waiting.
Claims linking root canals to other diseases are based on outdated research that has been discredited. In fact, recent studies indicate that patients who have had multiple root canals actually have a 45% lower risk of cancer.
Root canal procedures typically take 30-90 minutes and can be completed in a single appointment. Some complex cases may require additional visits.
Root canal treatment is one of the best ways to save your natural tooth and keep your smile intact. It’s often more time and cost-effective than getting implants or bridges after extraction.
Pain isn’t always a sign that you need a root canal. Your dentist checks the tooth’s pulp for damage or infection to decide if treatment is necessary, regardless of whether you’re in pain.
Call Bella Dental at (805) 394-3000 for more information on booking an appointment, or fill out the form below and we will reach out to you!
