Dental Questions: Are root canals painful?

If there was a ever a classic trope of bad dental experiences, it would certainly be the root canal. From cartoons to movies to TV shows, we are taught from a young age that root canals are the most painful of all dental procedures. Fortunately, this bad press is entirely undeserved. Root canal treatment offers relief from excruciating pain and a near instant improvement of symptomatic teeth!

For starters, a "root canal" is a dental procedure where the nerve inside the tooth is removed and replaced with sealing material. It is usually performed on a tooth with an infection (where the now-dead tissue is feeding bacteria) or with an inflamed nerve. In either circumstance, removing the internal nerve pulp and cleaning the inside of the tooth relieves symptoms of extreme pain and pressure. After performing a root canal, the tooth will most likely need a crown and/or post placement to add strength back to its structure. 

A root canal procedure will not be more painful than any other dental treatment. Endodontists (root canal specialists) require that the patient is completely numb so that there are no undue delays or interruptions to the root canal process. The most common complaint after receiving this therapy is a sore jaw from staying open for the duration of the procedure. In cases of extreme infection, some teeth may be difficult or impossible to fully anesthetize. In these cases, the endodontist may elect to use antibiotics or mild sedation to maximize the numbing effect. Either way, you will be completely comfortable for the entire appointment. 

If you have dental pain and think you might need a root canal, don't panic! Tooth pain comes from a number of different causes and requires a complete dental exam to diagnose. If you would like to schedule an appointment today, please give our office a call!

Specialist Spotlight: Dr. Lee of Thousand Oaks Endodontics

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we are proud of the network of skilled dental specialists we have created. Whether you are in our office or one of our associates’ offices, know that you will be treated with respect, kindness and experience. Today, we would like to highlight Dr. Jonathan Lee at Thousand Oaks Endodontics.

Endodontics is the subspecialty of dentistry focused on treating infections and injuries to the nerve of the tooth by performing root canals. here, the tooth nerve is removed and replaced with a resilient filling material called gutta percha. Endodontist may also perform surgical procedures to patch tooth roots or splint teeth after an injury. In his state of the art office, Dr. Lee performs all these procedures (and more!) with compassion and the highest levels of expertise. 

A Conejo Valley native, Dr. Lee completed dental school at USC and his residency at Temple University in Pittsburgh. If you would like to know more about Dr. Lee's office, root canals or why you are being referred to see a specialist, please give our office a call!

Website: http://www.thousandoaksendodontics.com/

Phone number: 805 370 0110

 

Specialist Spotlight- Southern California Endodontic Group

Dr. Pokras

Dr. Trnavsky

Dr Lazarou

Dr. Ghahraman

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we are proud of the network of skilled dental specialists we have created. Whether you are in our office or one of our associates’ offices, know that you will be treated with respect, kindness and experience. Today, we would like to highlight Southern California Endodontic Group, the office of Doctors Pokras, Trnavsky, Lazarou and Ghahraman.

At Southern California Endodontic Group, an array of services are provided towards preserving infected or chronically inflamed teeth. Beyond root canals, their office can diagnose internal fractures in tooth roots, retreat failing root canals and more. The end result is relief from pain, removal of infection and a longer lifespan for a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted.  

Pokras, Trnavsky, Lazarou and Ghahraman represent decades of experience in endodontic treatments with successful outcomes. Aside from clinical dentistry, they are active in local dental societies, academies and dental schools as lecturers and mentors. In the office, their expertise is backed by a number of leading technologies and instruments. Cone beam CT scans are used to visualize fractures, cracks and infections, while microscopes elucidate every tiny detail of the tooth’s inner structure. This combination of knowledge and technological power allow them to deliver fast, comfortable and long lasting treatments. 

Beyond technical abilities, Southern California Endodontic Group prides itself in creating a warm and familiar environment. From the front desk staff to the various amenities, their goal is to treat everyone who walks through the door like family. Patients feeling apprehensive about dental treatment will be met with a variety of comforts, from blankets to in-operatory TVs and even massaging chairs. In total, they want you to feel relaxed and comfortable for the entire duration of your appointment and beyond; Their office will often follow up with courtesy calls to make sure you are feeling great about the results of your treatment. 

We love working with So Cal Endo Group because of their combination of clinical success and caring atmosphere. Our patients are always impressed and satisfied with their treatment, resulting in a great all-around dental experience. If you would like to know more about Doctors Pokras, Trnavsky, Lazarou and Ghahraman or any other of our fantastic specialists, please give us a call.  We want our patients to know they are in good hands, whether with us or one of our specialists.