Inside every tooth is a chamber containing nerve and blood vessels. When decay, a crack, or trauma allows bacteria to reach it, that tissue can become infected. Because it is sealed inside the tooth, the infection will not resolve on its own.
Symptoms vary, and some infected teeth cause no pain at all. Any of the following are worth having evaluated promptly.
The procedure is carried out under local anesthetic and generally feels similar to having a filling. What people often remember as the pain of a root canal is the infection beforehand; the treatment is what relieves it.
The tooth is usually tender for a few days and typically settles with the pain relief guidance our team provides. A tooth that has had root canal treatment is more brittle, so a crown is often recommended afterwards to protect it.
Request an appointment and our team will follow up to confirm a time, or call 909.283.3130. An examination is required before a treatment recommendation can be made.
Request AppointmentThe procedure is performed under local anesthetic and generally feels similar to having a filling. The pain patients associate with root canals is usually caused by the infection beforehand, which the treatment relieves.
Some teeth are completed in one visit and others need two, depending on the tooth, the number of canals, and the extent of infection. Dr. Zou will explain the expected sequence after evaluating your tooth.
A crown is often recommended, particularly for back teeth, because a treated tooth is more brittle and at greater risk of fracture. Whether it is needed depends on how much tooth structure remains.
An untreated infection inside a tooth does not resolve on its own and may spread, leading to swelling or loss of the tooth. Extraction becomes the alternative, and we will explain both options.
Many treated teeth last for years when properly restored and maintained. Protecting the tooth with an appropriate restoration and keeping up routine visits are the factors most within your control.
