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Root Canal Treatment

root-canal-dentist-mission-viejo For many people, the mere thought of a root canal is scary. Many people fear root canals because they associate the treatment procedure with the pain of a toothache. But the reality is that root canals do not cause pain; in fact, root canals relieve pain!

It might surprise you to learn that today’s updated dental techniques and instruments have made root canal therapy a treatment that’s no worse than having a tooth filled.

If you are in the Mission Viejo or Orange County area and suspect you may need a root canal, please call Sunshine Smiles of Orange County as soon as possible. We will get you in quickly so you can get the relief you need.

Root Canals Are a Good Thing

Many years ago, an infected within a tooth would almost certainly lead to extraction. But with modern root canal therapy, your tooth can be saved.

It is important to save your natural teeth; losing teeth has a negative impact on your smile as well as your overall health. When you lose teeth, this can lead to bone loss as well as other dental issues.

When you have a toothache, it’s best to get treatment sooner rather than later. We understand that you might be nervous about getting a procedure like a root canal. But our compassionate team of caring professionals has a lot of experience performing root canal therapy and will be sensitive to your needs as well as any anxiety you might have.

When a Root Canal Might Be Needed

The need for root canal therapy generally starts with an infected tooth. You will usually know when a tooth is infected because one of the first symptoms is often pain.

When you come into the office, we will take an x-ray and perform other tests to identify the problem. If you have an infection, you will likely need a root canal.

What Happens during a Root Canal

root-canal-mission-viejo The first thing your dentist will do once an infection in the root of your tooth has been identified is numb the area. You will not feel any pain during the procedure.

Next, a tiny hole will be drilled in the affected tooth so your dentist can remove the infection and bacteria from the root canal. The area will be doused with antibacterial medicine, then the tooth will be filled and sealed to prevent infection from recurring in the tooth root.

Because the procedure will usually leave the tooth brittle afterward, a dental crown is recommended to strengthen the tooth. The dental crown will look very much like your natural tooth, and you will be able to chew normally with it.

Call Us if You Are Experiencing a Toothache

Dental pain is never normal, so give us a call right away if you have a toothache. The sooner you call, the sooner you can get relief from the pain!

Frequently Asked Questions

If I have a tooth infection, why can't I just take an antibiotic? Won’t that fix it?

Unfortunately, the bacteria causing the infection are feeding on the remnants of the dead nerve within the tooth. The only way to fix it is to clean and remove that food source and create a disinfected environment to the starve the bacteria. Only then can your body control the infection and bring that tooth back to health.

The good news is that a root canal should be able to fix the problem—and save your infected tooth as well. Unlike the feared root canal treatment of decades past, today’s root canals are no worse than getting a run-of-the-mill filling. In fact, the pain that usually brings you to the dentist will be far worse than the procedure itself. The area is completely numbed, so you will not feel any pain. Once the infection has been removed, you will feel further relief.

The procedure itself is simple: Through a tiny hole drilled into the affected tooth, your dentist will remove the infected pulp and any other bacteria that are present. Once the area is thoroughly cleaned, it is doused with antibacterial medicine, filled, and sealed to protect it from further infection. A crown on top of the remaining tooth structure will give you back full chewing function.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Arshia Kalantari DDS

Dr. Arshia Kalantari graduated from the University of Missouri–Kansas City in 2006 and graduated from its dental school in 2010. He completed a mini-residency in sleep apnea in 2016 at UCLA. Currently, he is participating in the Spear Education Continuum of Workshops with an emphasis on complex restorations and cosmetic dentistry. Other distinctions include receiving honors in endodontics.

One of the things he loves most about his work is transforming smiles and giving his patients something to be proud of through cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Kalantari also finds it satisfying to relieve ...