Root Canal Specialist

Omni Dental Specialty Our Services Root Canal

Omni Dental Specialty

General Dentistry & Orthodontist located in Oxnard, CA

Many patients fear root canals, but that's just because movies and TV shows have given the procedures a bad reputation by perpetuating an out-of-date notion. In reality, a root canal is no more uncomfortable than a filling, and it can actually relieve the pain associated with an infected tooth. If you have a tooth that needs a root canal, schedule an appointment with Kourosh Keihani, DDS, and his team at Omni Dental Specialty in Oxnard, California. From their state-of-the-art office, Dr. Keihani provides gentle and effective root canals that restore health and function to his patients' smiles. Book your root canal consultation today by calling the office or scheduling one online.

Root Canal Q & A

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a procedure that Dr. Keihani performs to salvage a severely damaged or infected tooth.

The main purpose of a root canal is to remove your tooth's pulp, which is the soft inner layer of your tooth, which is composed of connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerve fibers. When your pulp is damaged or infected, it swells. This inflammation pinches the nerves within, which causes a great deal of pain.

Before the development of the root canal procedure, teeth with diseased or damaged pulp had to be removed entirely. A root canal allows Dr. Keihani to save your tooth and keep more of your natural structures intact.

When do I need a root canal?

You need a root canal if your tooth's pulp is damaged or dead, which typically happens after a physical injury or as a result of severe decay. Some of the symptoms of damaged or dead pulp include:

  • A darkened tooth
  • Increased sensitivity to hot and cold
  • Spontaneous toothache
  • Pus around the gumline
  • A tiny pocket of pus or pimple at the root

Schedule a visit with Dr. Keihani immediately if you're experiencing any of these symptoms.

Why do I need a root canal?

If left untreated, an infected tooth only gets worse and leads to more severe medical problems, such as:

  • Tooth loss
  • Infection of nearby teeth
  • Formation of an abscess
  • Infection of your jawbone
  • Infection of your bloodstream (sepsis)

If you need a root canal, don't delay getting the treatment you need.

What's the process for getting a root canal?

First, Dr. Keihani uses a local anesthetic to numb your tooth and the surrounding tissue. He then protects your mouth and the rest of your teeth with a rubber dental dam.

Next, he drills a tiny hole in the top of your tooth and uses a series of files to remove the decayed pulp within. With the dead pulp taken out, he cleans and sterilizes the inside of your tooth, then seals it up with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. In some cases, he also places a metal or plastic rod in your tooth for structural support.

Finally, Dr. Keihani seals the hole in the top of your tooth with a dental filling and fits you with a crown to restore your tooth's strength and appearance.

To learn more about how a root canal can relieve your pain and rehabilitate your smile, call Omni Dental Specialty, or book an appointment online today.