Root Canal Treatment Oakland and Berkeley

Find Relief from Tooth Painroot canal and tooth extraction

If you are suffering from the effects of a badly decayed tooth, root canal therapy may be an excellent solution. In fact, since our goal is improving your overall health, this procedure can have benefits beyond the tooth.

Root canal procedures can prolong the life of a tooth that would otherwise require extraction.  Total Health Dental Care provides excellent root canal treatment for patients from Berkeley, Oakland, including Piedmont, Rockridge, and surrounding Bay Area communities.  We are pleased to offer this treatment, as well as other restorative dentistry options, as a way to help patients enjoy optimal dental health and functionality.  To learn more about how you may benefit from a root canal procedure, contact our office today.  We look forward to meeting your dental treatment goals.

Root Canal Treatment

What Is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatments a solution for teeth with badly diseased or infected “pulp” – the soft tissue inside the root canal.  When the pulp reaches this state, there are only two treatment options:  removal of the pulp or extraction of the tooth.  Root canal procedures are performed to remove the pulp and replace it with dental-grade cement, thereby preventing (or delaying) extraction and prolonging use of the tooth.

The Root Canal Treatment Procedure

The dentist begins a root canal procedure by administering an anesthetic, which minimizes discomfort.  (Sedation dentistry may also be an option for some patients.)  The dentist then removes the decayed tooth pulp and disinfects the root canal.  Then, he fills the canal with cement and cures it so that it hardens.  Finally, he places a dental crown over the tooth, which restores the tooth’s appearance and functionality.  With proper maintenance, a root canal procedure can help a tooth remain functional for many years.

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment

The primary benefit of obtaining root canal treatment is that it extends use of the tooth and delays or prevents extraction.  Moreover, the tooth is still anchored by its natural root instead of a dental implant or a dental bridge; this can enhance one’s sense of self-confidence and help to maintain one’s gum health.  Finally, root canal treatment is a relatively inexpensive solution to severe tooth decay, making it a viable option for patients on a budget.