Severe infection or decay can cause extensive pain and swelling in a tooth. At that point, your options are usually tooth extraction or root canal therapy. Extraction can bring its own complications — difficulty eating, shifting of nearby teeth, and even TMJ pain — so it's worth understanding root canal treatment before deciding.
When a tooth has severe infection from decay or trauma, a root canal is often the most affordable and comfortable way to save it. The treatment isn't as painful as extraction and typically has a shorter recovery time — many patients say it feels similar to getting a filling.
Common signs that you may need a root canal include:
* Pain in the tooth or jaw
* Gum inflammation
* Sensitivity that lingers
Before treatment begins, our root canal dentist in San Jose will examine your tooth and take an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis.
Root canal therapy generally involves the following steps:
* A local anesthetic is applied to numb the affected tooth
* A rubber dam is placed around the tooth to keep the area clean during treatment
* A small opening is made to access the tooth
* The infected pulp is removed and the area is disinfected
* The space is filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha
If you think you may need root canal treatment in San Jose, Sage Dental is here to help. Book your visit today.
Make Sage Dental your provider for all your dental needs.
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