Root Canal Treatment

Crestpointe Dental provides root canal procedures in a calm and relaxing environment to ensure that your natural teeth are protected from infection and to avoid the need for tooth extraction.

The Root Canal Procedure

A root canal is a routine dental procedure that helps patients keep a tooth with significant tooth decay or other damage. Despite its reputation, the procedure is safe and painless with a local anesthetic. It’s also much faster than most people realize, with most cases taking less than an hour.

The root canal procedure removes the pulp and nerve tissue inside your tooth. Beneath the hard enamel and dentin exterior is softer tissue that is very vulnerable to infection. If tooth decay or physical damage allows bacteria to access the tissue, it will have to be removed.

Dr. Crescencia Tejero-Ugay will walk you through the procedure to help you remain calm. At Crestpointe Dental in Santa Clara, we maintain a relaxing environment that makes routine dental procedures like this as gentle and stress-free as possible for our patients.

First, a local anesthetic is applied to numb the area. An opening is made at the top of the tooth, and special tools are used to remove the pulp and tissue inside. This tissue doesn’t do much in fully developed teeth, so there aren’t any downsides to removing it.

With the tissue removed, the tooth's interior is sterilized and then filled with material — similar to having a filling. This prevents bacteria from causing tooth decay or infecting any tissue.

When Is a Root Canal Necessary?

Root canals are important because the only alternative is to extract the tooth. If the interior of your tooth is exposed because of tooth decay or physical damage, it will likely become infected and require extraction. A root canal saves the tooth before this happens.

A root canal is also often required if you have a dental crown. This tooth replacement applies a cap over the remains of a damaged tooth, and that damage often means the tooth's interior is compromised.

Many patients are hesitant to have a root canal. However, the procedure is often the best option for maintaining long-term oral health. It keeps the natural tooth in place, which prevents the need for dental implants, bridges, or other tooth replacement treatments.

Dr. Crescencia Tejero-Ugay provides a wide range of treatment options, including root canals. Schedule an appointment at Crestpointe Dental for all of your dental needs.