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3125 Coffee Rd.
Suite 1
Modesto, CA 95355
Existing Patients: (209) 529-2726
New Patients: (209) 207-5740
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A root canal is a procedure to remove infected pulp from a tooth’s root and nerve. The pulp is the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves, and other connective tissues. When it becomes infected or inflamed due to decay or injury, it can cause severe pain. This procedure is necessary when the nerve of a tooth becomes infected or damaged due to decay or injury. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding tissues and cause further problems.
During a root canal at Wayne T. Yee, DDS, the diseased tissue is removed, and the insides of the tooth are cleaned and disinfected before being filled and sealed. Once the infection has been removed, the tooth is capped with a dental crown to protect it from further damage.
One of the most common symptoms of a root canal is severe and persistent tooth pain. The pain may be sharp or throbbing, often more intense when biting the affected tooth. The pain may also radiate to the jaw, ear, or temple on the same side of the face as the affected tooth.
Individuals needing a root canal may experience heightened sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. Drinking hot or cold beverages, eating ice cream, or even breathing in cold air may trigger sharp pain or discomfort in the affected tooth.
Infections inside the tooth can spread to the surrounding tissues, leading to swelling and tenderness around the affected tooth. The gum may appear swollen and feel tender to the touch.
An infected tooth may become loose or feel like it is shifting from its original position. This may result from the breakdown of supporting structures due to the infection.
One of the primary benefits of a root canal treatment is pain relief. When the pulp inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, cracks, or trauma, it can cause intense toothaches. A root canal removes the infected pulp, relieving the pain and discomfort associated with the condition.
Preserving your natural teeth is always the preferred option whenever possible. Root canals allow for preserving a severely damaged or infected tooth, preventing extraction. Keeping your natural teeth maintains proper chewing function, speech, and aesthetics.
A root canal treatment eliminates the infection and seals off the canals, preventing the spread of bacteria to other teeth or surrounding tissues. By preserving the affected tooth, a root canal improves oral health and overall well-being.
Root canals improve oral health, aesthetics, and overall well-being by preserving your natural teeth. If you have a severely damaged or infected tooth, contact Wayne T. Yee, DDS, at 3125 Coffee Rd # 1, Modesto, CA 95355, or call (209) 529-2726.
A root canal procedure is the best way to save a tooth that has been damaged by decay or injury and preserve your natural smile. The alternative is an extraction and treatment to replace the tooth. While at times a tooth is non-restorable and an extraction is the only option, when possible, it’s best to try and save your natural tooth. With proper care, a tooth with root canal therapy can serve your smile well for many years to come.
Despite lingering myths from before the age of modern dental anesthesia and technology, having a root canal procedure today is as routine and comfortable as visiting the dentist for a filling. While the procedure is performed under local anesthesia with your tooth completely numbed, we can also discuss options in dental sedation.
Whether the symptoms of a dental infection subside after a course of antibiotics, a draining abscess provides you with some temporary pain relief, or a tooth with radiographic evidence of pathology has not yet developed symptoms, it’s essential, before an infection worsens or occurs, to have a root canal procedure performed. In this way, the tooth can be disinfected, filled, and sealed to protect your health and avoid further problems.
If you have sustained a dental injury, have a toothache, jaw pain, swelling, or are experiencing any other unusual and uncomfortable oral symptoms, contact our office immediately for care. Dental problems that have not been evaluated and treated can significantly worsen, producing more severe damage and consequences for the involved teeth, your oral health, and even your overall wellbeing. Once you get in touch with our office, our friendly and compassionate office team will get you in for care at your earliest convenience.
While some root canal procedures can be completed in one visit, others may involve 2 or 3 appointments. How long it takes depends on various factors, including active infection, the number of canals in the tooth, and the tooth’s location or anatomy.
With a success rate that exceeds 95%, root canal therapy remains the most effective procedure to save a tooth in which the inner vital tissues have been damaged. However, as with all healthcare procedures, there are a small percentage of cases where the teeth become symptomatic a second time. The good news is that many of these teeth can still be saved with root canal retreatment or a minor surgical procedure known as an apicoectomy.
The best ways to maintain a tooth with root canal therapy are to get the proper restoration required to rebuild and protect the tooth, maintain proper oral hygiene, and schedule appointments for routine dental checkups and care.
Saving a tooth with root canal therapy is a wise investment that, in the long run, is typically less costly and invasive than having the tooth extracted and replaced with a fixed bridge or implant. As far as the exact cost of care, it can vary depending on which tooth is being treated. Many dental insurance plans provide coverage for root canal therapy. At the office of Wayne T. Yee, DDS, we do our best to optimize your dental benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Our staff will answer all your questions about the cost of care and discuss all your payment options.
At the office of Wayne T. Yee, DDS, we use the latest technology and most effective methods of care to provide precise and gentle care. Our reputation for excellence is based upon a consistent record of achieving successful treatment outcomes while providing prompt, stress-free, and convenient treatment for every type of dental need.
