Root Canal Treatment in Salinas

Root canal treatment (also referred to as endodontic therapy) is necessary when the nerve or tooth suffers irreversible trauma. This trauma can be caused by accidents, tooth grinding, fractures, repeated dental procedures, or tooth decay. If left untreated, an affected nerve can lead to an infection (abscess). The initial symptom of an affected tooth is constant intense pain. The pain may subside temporarily until the infection begins and then the pain will return.

The process of performing a root canal requires removing the nerve from the tooth and replacing it with cement. During the procedure, a small hole is drilled into the tooth to clean and remove both bacteria and the tooth´s nerve. The hole is also used to file down the inside of the tooth. Once the tooth is clean and prepared, the hole is filled and sealed to ensure that no further decay or bacteria can enter the tooth.

Root canals allow much of the natural tooth to be salvaged, allowing for a natural appearance and feel of the tooth. More importantly for most patients, root canals quickly relieve the pain caused by nerve damage in the mouth.