Root Canal Treatment in Beverly Hills, CA
A Gentle Approach to Endodontic Care
Root Canal Treatment
A Safer, More Natural Approach to Root Canal Therapy at Tabachnik Advanced Endodontics
At Tabachnik Advanced Endodontics, we offer root canal treatments, a patient-focused approach that prioritizes oral health and overall well-being. Our approach incorporates biocompatible materials and advanced techniques to ensure your body responds positively to treatment. We strive to eliminate infection while preserving as much of tooth structure as possible.
Our team is here to help when it comes to root canal treatments aligned with a healthy lifestyle. Schedule a consultation today to learn how our gentle and efficient approach can restore your oral health while supporting your body’s balance.
Root Canal Explained
The Greek word “endo” implies “inside,” while “odont” implies “tooth.” Endodontic treatment treats the teeth inside. One type of endodontic treatment is root canals, and there are many others like them.
A grasp of tooth structure is fundamental to comprehending endodontic procedures. Beneath the visible enamel and the robust dentin layer lies the pulp, a delicate interior consisting of blood vessels, nerves, and supporting tissue, crucial for the tooth’s formation.
This pulp extends from the visible portion of the tooth, known as the crown, down to the root tips, where it connects to the surrounding tissues. While the pulp plays a vital role in tooth development, a fully formed tooth can thrive without it, as the surrounding tissues provide ongoing nourishment. Further exploration into the specifics of root canal therapy can provide more detailed information.
Reasons for Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue within the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. There are a whole host of reasons why you might need root canal treatment:
- Deep decay
- Repeated dental procedures on the tooth
- Faulty crown
- Crack or chip in the tooth
- Resorption
- Trauma
- Dens Evaginatus
Hidden trauma to a tooth can compromise the pulp, even without apparent fractures or breaks. Ignoring such internal harm, whether it manifests as inflammation or infection, can result in discomfort or the development of a painful abscess.
While medical necessity dictates root canal treatment in numerous instances, the everyday benefits of preserving a natural tooth are extensive. Individuals who receive endodontic treatment can maintain their authentic smile, continue eating their favorite foods, and minimize the frequency of future dental procedures. Keeping root canal treated teeth in good condition throughout their lives can make them last a lifetime.
Benefits of Root Canal Treatment:
Virtually Pain-Free Procedure
When you have a root canal treatment, you are not likely to feel pain at all, and you are also likely to experience less discomfort during your recovery process than if you were to have your tooth extracted. Modern techniques and high-quality anesthesia make root canals six times more painless than tooth extractions.
What is Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure used to treat a damaged or infected tooth while preserving the natural tooth structure. When the nerve of the tooth—also known as the pulp—is inflamed or infected due to deep decay, repeated dental work, cracks, or trauma, root canal therapy becomes necessary. This treatment helps relieve pain and prevents further complications, serving as an alternative to tooth extraction.
During a root canal, the diseased pulp tissue inside the tooth is carefully removed. The pulp chamber and root canals are then thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to eliminate bacteria. Once cleaned, the empty space is filled with a biocompatible material and sealed to protect the tooth from future infection. Contrary to outdated beliefs, root canal treatment today is comfortable, efficient, and very similar to receiving a routine dental filling.
Many people wonder whether root canal treatment or extraction is the better option. While both aim to stop pain and infection, root canal therapy saves your natural tooth—something no replacement can fully replicate. Keeping your tooth helps maintain normal chewing, natural appearance, and jaw structure. In most cases, root canal treatment is more cost-effective and less invasive in the long run compared to extraction followed by a dental implant or bridge.
Understanding what a root canal is can help ease anxiety and support informed decisions. It’s one of the most common and successful dental procedures performed worldwide. With proper care, a tooth treated with a root canal can last just as long as your other teeth—restoring both function and comfort while preserving your natural smile.
What to Expect During a Root Canal
Diagnosis and Preparation
Access Opening
Removal of Infected Pulp
Filling and Sealing
Restoration
A crown or other restoration will be placed after your final endodontist visit to protect and restore your tooth to full function.
The tooth may require a post if it lacks sufficient structure to hold the restoration. Get more details about your specific restoration from your dentist or endodontist.
Who Can Benefit from a Root Canal?
- Those experiencing persistent tooth sensitivity or discomfort when chewing or touching the affected tooth
- Those who want to prevent the spread of infection to surrounding teeth and gums
- People who have an abscess or swelling near the affected tooth that needs to be treated
- Patients who want to restore function and aesthetics to a damaged or decayed tooth
Saving Your Tooth
Teeth can be saved by endodontists. Their expertise can help preserve your teeth for a lifetime by assessing your condition and suggesting the best treatment plan. Here are some tips for saving your teeth:
- Always choose root canal treatment over tooth extraction when given the choice. There is no denture, bridge, or implant that will look, feel, or function like a natural tooth.
- Pain or swelling should be treated immediately if you experience them. Almost all endodontists are able to accommodate emergency cases on weekends, ensuring that you will receive treatment quickly.
Myths About Root Canals
The term “root canal” may conjure up images of pain and fear in your mind. Many people view it as a painful and potentially harmful procedure that should be avoided. However, this is far from the truth. Delaying or forgoing endodontic care, such as a root canal, in favor of tooth removal or passive observation can actually lead to greater discomfort, increased expense, and more significant inconvenience. The longer you put off addressing the issue, the greater the likelihood you’ll lose your natural tooth. To dispel any lingering concerns, explore the detailed information provided on our site, which explains how endodontists expertly preserve teeth with efficiency and minimal distress. Following that, feel free to discuss any remaining questions or anxieties with your dental professional or an endodontic specialist.
Myth 1: Root canal treatment is painful.
While past experiences might suggest otherwise, contemporary root canal procedures bear little resemblance to those of bygone eras. Modern technology and anesthesia have made the procedure as comfortable as a routine dental filling. A root canal specialist relieves the intense pain associated with a severe toothache, which is often caused by compromised internal tooth structures. Aside from their refined pain management skills, these specialists are able to perform most treatments efficiently and with ease for patients.
Myth 2: Root canal treatment causes illness.
Root canal procedures are widely believed to cause systemic illnesses. It is important to note, however, that none of these claims are true. They stem from outdated and flawed studies performed almost a century ago, prior to our contemporary understanding of disease origins. Modern scientific scrutiny has definitively refuted these assertions. There is absolutely no credible evidence to support the idea that root canals contribute to cancer or any other bodily ailment. In fact, modern research has shown that patients with multiple endodontic treatments had a 45 percent reduced risk of cancer. (Tezal M, et al. Dental Caries and Head and Neck Cancers. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 139(10):1054-60, Oct. 2013.).
Myth 3: It’s better to pull a tooth than have root canal treatment.
The best oral health can only be achieved by maintaining your teeth; fabricated substitutes cannot replicate the organic capabilities and visual appeal of teeth. The viability of root canal therapy must, therefore, be explored. This time-tested intervention frequently enables treated teeth to endure indefinitely. When you decide to remove your tooth and replace it with a bridge or implant, you will have to undergo longer, more complicated procedures, and it may affect the health of the surrounding teeth and bone.
Myth 4: Root Canals Involve Removing the Roots of the Tooth.
In a root canal treatment, the pulp inside the tooth is removed. A tooth’s roots do not need to be removed.
Myth 5: My tooth is not in pain, so I do not need a Root Canal.
Although intense tooth pain often signals the necessity of a root canal, occasionally, a tooth may demand this procedure even without causing discomfort. Specialists in endodontics possess the expertise to evaluate a tooth’s internal health, detecting infections or damage to the pulp. Root canals are necessary to preserve a tooth if such issues exist. An endodontist should be consulted as soon as possible if you experience tooth pain, regardless of intensity.
Treatment Options for the Compromised Tooth: A Decision Guide by the American Association of Endodontists
Choosing the right treatment for a compromised tooth can be difficult. There are a number of options available for treating compromised teeth, according to the Treatment Options for the Compromised Tooth guide provided by the American Association of Endodontists.
Using this comprehensive decision guide, you can make informed decisions about preserving the health and functionality of your teeth. From root canals to restorations, it addresses the unique needs of compromised teeth. To read the full article and explore all the options, visit here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Root canals may be necessary if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Having difficulty chewing or biting
- Pimples on the gums
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Even after the sensation has subsided, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
- Swollen or tender gums
- Deep decay or darkening of the gums
To address compromised dental pulp, a specialist in root canal therapy meticulously extracts the affected tissue. The interior of the tooth’s root is then thoroughly sanitized and contoured, followed by the insertion and sealing of a biocompatible material. Finally, your general dentist completes the process by installing a protective cap or alternative restoration, reinstating the tooth’s complete functionality. Once this restorative work is done, the treated tooth resumes its normal role within the mouth.
After a root canal, it’s common to experience mild discomfort, sensitivity, or soreness in the treated area for a few days. This is usually due to inflammation in the surrounding tissue and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Some patients may also feel temporary jaw stiffness from keeping their mouth open during the procedure.
Serious side effects are rare, but complications such as infection, prolonged swelling, or pain can occur, especially if the tooth has complex anatomy or was severely infected. If symptoms worsen instead of improving, it’s important to contact your dentist for follow-up care. Overall, root canal therapy is a safe and effective way to relieve pain and save a natural tooth.
The cost of a root canal depends on the complexity of the case and which tooth is being treated. Molars typically have higher fees because they are more difficult to access and treat due to their multiple roots.
Most dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for endodontic treatment, which can help reduce your out-of-pocket cost. Your dentist can provide an accurate estimate after evaluating your specific needs.
Yes, you can eat after a root canal, but it’s important to wait until the numbness in your mouth fully wears off—usually a few hours after the procedure. Eating while still numb can increase the risk of accidentally biting your tongue, cheek, or lip.
Once the numbness is gone, stick to soft, non-chewy foods for the first couple of days. Avoid hard, crunchy, or very hot foods, as they can irritate the treated area or damage a temporary filling. Good options include applesauce, yogurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and soft-cooked fish.
There may be swelling, inflammation, or sensitivity after a root canal, as well as a reaction to the medication given by the endodontist following the procedure. Follow-up appointments are almost always required regardless of symptoms.
