May
Many problems can occur with an adult tooth. However, if patients are dealing with a severe toothache caused by abscesses, infection, or disease, it may be time to ask the dentist about root canal treatments. Root canal therapy is a specific oral surgery in the San Francisco, CA area, during which a dentist will remove the inner tissues of a natural tooth to address the problem while maintaining the natural tooth in place within the dental arch. Instead of permanently extracting it, the team of West Portal Family Dentistry encourages root canal therapy to save the tooth whenever possible.
Patients who hear the words “root canal” think of painful, invasive procedures. However, it is the pain and discomfort of a tooth that often requires the assistance of a dentist to resolve. In many cases, that is achieved with root canal therapy. The root canal therapy procedure, or “endodontic therapy,” is performed to remove the inner dental pulp of a tooth and treat an infection or disease inside of it. After the tooth is treated, the dental team then uses a special filling called gutta-percha to seal off the tooth. Most patients will then benefit from the placement of a dental crown on the tooth, as this can offer an extra layer of protection for the natural tooth and keep it from becoming weak and susceptible to further damage.
Any patient who is at risk of losing a natural tooth may want to ask about root canal therapy as a way to save it. Root canal therapy is performed after an x-ray reveals a problem, including:
If you are faced with the possibility of removing a tooth due to infection or disease, it is important to talk to a dentist who has endodontic experience and can recommend procedures that eliminate the need for permanent extraction of adult teeth. Call Drs. Terri Nguyen and Laura Huynh of West Portal Family Dentistry at (415) 604-9292 to request a visit and discuss your unique needs. We are here to assist new and current patients in the area of San Francisco, CA and are conveniently located at 26 West Portal Avenue, Ste. #4.