By: Dr. Ahmed Sadek
Root canal treatment is needed when you have an infected or damaged pulp. Unlike popular misconceptions, root canals are safe and painless and leave your tooth intact. Marina Endodontics is renowned for its advanced root canal services in Long Beach, California, and its environs. Whether you need a simple or complicated root canal, you can trust our experienced endodontist, Dr. Ahmed Sadek, for exceptional yet affordable care.
When is a root canal needed?
The root canal system in your tooth is the innermost chamber that contains blood vessels, nerves, and other living tissues. Once your tooth erupts, the nerve isn’t essential to your tooth other than to provide sensation to warn you of infections and cavities.
The hard outer covering (the enamel) protects the pulp chamber. Unfortunately, the enamel can be breached by decay, cracks, and repeated dental procedures, exposing the pulp to harmful bacteria. When the tooth is infected, the dentist recommends a root canal to prevent the infection from spreading. A root canal is an excellent treatment to relieve pain and save your tooth from extraction.
How does a root canal work?
Our endodontist performs root canal treatment to resolve the deep infection. A root canal treatment involves the following:
- Examination: The doctor uses digital X-rays and scans to examine the extent of damage and whether your tooth and surrounding structures can support a root canal.
- Tooth preparation: The doctor will numb the area with powerful anesthetics to ensure a painless dental experience. Before working on your tooth, we’ll isolate it with a rubber dam to keep it infection-free. Then, we’ll create a small opening on your tooth to access the pulp chamber.
- Cleaning your tooth: The doctor will remove the infected tissues and use GentleWave Procedure to clean your tooth. The GentleWave Procedure uses advanced techniques to remove infection and diseased tissues from even the tiniest root canals. The dentist also uses surgical microscopes for enhanced magnification and illumination, reducing the chances of missed infections.
- Sealing the tooth: The dentist will fill your tooth with gutta-percha, which stabilizes the tooth and prevents future infections.
Root canal therapy can be completed in 60-90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the infection. Unlike common misconceptions, root canals are quick, painless, and don’t cause further health complications.
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How much does a root canal cost?
The treatment cost for a root canal varies, depending on the case’s complexity. We can only determine the exact cost after an in-person consultation. The beauty of root canal treatment is that it’s partly covered by insurance. But what if you don’t have insurance? Don’t fret! You can still enjoy high-quality care from our office.
Dental financing with CareCredit makes getting the treatment you need more affordable. CareCredit is a healthcare financing option that allows you to pay for dental procedures over time with flexible monthly payments. So you don’t have to put off essential treatment due to cost.
CareCredit makes dental care affordable by providing:
- Instant approval
- Low-interest flexible payment plans
- No need for an upfront payment
- Widespread acceptance to thousands of locations
Do you need root canal treatment?
A root canal saves your natural tooth and prevents more costly dental problems down the line. If you need root canal treatment in Long Beach, California, call 562-431-3636 and schedule an appointment with Marina Endodontics.
