By Arthur Kezian
What is a Root Canal and Why Do You Need One?
A root canal is needed when damage is done to a tooth’s pulp. This is the inner portion of your tooth where the nerves and blood vessels lie. Damage can occur because of injury such as a crack or chip in the tooth, infection, or general degeneration. This causes the nerve in the tooth to become inflamed and very painful. Symptoms may include hot and cold sensitivity, tenderness to touch or chewing, swelling or even drainage from the gums. However, in some cases, there may be no pain at all!
Rather than get the tooth fully pulled, a root canal is another option. The pulp portion of the tooth is removed and is filled with a different material. Dr. Kezian is a root canal dentist in Los Angeles with thousands of hours of experience preforming dental surgery. He will meet with you to determine the cause of your tooth problems and decide if a root canal is necessary.
Choosing a root canal over having the tooth removed has benefits such as maintaining normal biting force and sensation, efficient chewing, natural appearance, and protecting your remaining teeth from wear and strain. The words “root canal” can often strike fear into patients, but these days root canals are relatively easy and painless! They can be performed in as little as one to two appointments.
Choosing the Right Root Canal Dentist
When undergoing a major dental procedure like this, it is important that you have a root canal dentist that you can trust. A root canal is probably not something that you are looking forward to, but when you need it, you’ll want it to be done correctly.
Dr. Arthur A. Kezian is a Los Angeles dentist that has preformed countless dental procedures on patients including root canals, cosmetic dentistry, veneers, implants, etc. After obtaining his Bachelor of Biochemistry, he went to UCLA and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery. He is a current member of the American Dental Association and a member of the Pacific Dental Association.
Dr. Kezian and his team at his Los Angeles dentist office are highly skilled and experienced, and you can be sure to trust them to get the job done right. Click here to meet the friendly staff at Dr. Kezian’s dental office – Meet the Staff.
The Root Canal Process
The extent of the root canal process varies depending on how severe the damage is to the tooth. In general, a local anesthetic is first given to the affected area to numb the tooth. X-ray images will be taken of the tooth and used as a guide for the dentist doing the procedure.
Once the x-rays are taken, a rubber dam will be placed in your mouth to isolate the affected tooth from the rest
of your mouth. To clean the tooth, the dentist uses a mixture of chemical solutions to wash the tooth to disinfect it. Once clean, Dr. Kezian will drill a small hole into the tooth to reach the pulp chamber. The nerve will then be removed from the tooth by using very tiny instruments.
This can be a time consuming procedure as it is very necessary that the entire nerve is removed. This is done to prevent tooth aches or inflammation in the future. Once the nerve is cleared, the tooth is dried and a substance called gutta percha is inserted to fill the interior of the tooth. To finish it off, the decay surrounding the tooth will then be removed and a temporary or permanent filling is used to close the hole. See this video for a visual guide to the root canal process down below.
After a Root Canal
After the root canal, your tooth is vulnerable. To help protect it, a porcelain crown should be placed on top of the tooth to prevent tooth breakage. You should not chew or bite on the tooth until it is fully restored. Otherwise, all you need to do is maintain good oral hygiene! Flossing, brushing and seeking regular dental checkups will help keep your root canal in good shape.
When done correctly, the root canal should last for as long as your natural teeth. If there are any issues after the root canal, including pain, swelling, discomfort, etc. Dr. Kezian and his team will meet with you to follow up and ensure that everything is going as planned. Occasionally, you may need to have further dental work done. For more information on root canals, visit the American Association of Endodontists
Call Dr. Kezian’s office today to set up an appointment and take care of the problem with one of the industry’s best.