Los Angeles Dentist - Root Canal

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By Arthur Kezian

You are feeling an ache around your jaw, you can’t sleep at nights, your teeth are causing a throbbing and pulsating type of pain, and you can’t bite down or chew on anything without a twinge – all of these are symptoms of a root canal. This is when you need to make an appointment with a reliable and experienced dentist. Dr. Arthur A. Kezian has been completing root canal procedures for over thirty years now and is more than experienced in the field. His office takes emergency appointments so you can be sure you will be out of pain in no time. Dr. Kezian will use all his skills and advanced equipment to get you out of pain as quickly as possible.

What is a Root Canal?

• A root canal treatment is a procedure done by a dentist, usually an endodontist, to save a tooth that has an infection or has decay into the nerve.
• Many people fear root canals and make the procedure sound worse than it really is. Patients associate a root canal procedure to the pain they feel prior to the procedure. Teeth that need root canals can be very painful, but the procedure itself is not; in fact, it feels no different than a filling since you are numb.
• Since the only function of the nerve of a tooth is to provide sensation, then taking it out has no harmful effect to the tooth. This is the gist of a root canal – the action of taking the root (nerve) out of its canal.

What to Expect during the Procedure:

• Before starting a root canal your dentist must confirm that the tooth has a possibility of being saved and doesn’t necessarily need to be taken out. For this, an X-Ray will be taken of your tooth for your dentist to evaluate.
• After confirming and treatment planning, you are given local anesthesia to make sure you do not feel anything during the procedure.
• Following the anesthesia, your dentist will create access to the nerve by drilling into the tooth. Keep in mind, you won’t be feeling a thing. The bacteria are then cleaned out from the tooth using different files and drills. Once the tooth is cleaned, it is ready to be closed again. Depending on the dentist and how the procedure is done the tooth will either be temporarily sealed until the next appointment or the root canal will be finished in one appointment. Your endodontist will decide this.
• Depending on your tooth, you may or may not need a crown after the root canal. Most cases need a crown after a root canal because the decay was either too deep making the tooth weak, or there was a big filling prior to the procedure that can’t be replaced because of its size.

What to Expect after the Procedure:

• After your root canal treatment is complete, your dentist will probably provide you with a prescription for a pain killer. This can be necessary because for the first few days following your procedure, your tooth might feel sensitive due to inflammation. Pain killers such as Motrin or Advil can ease the sensitivity you might feel. Sometimes, depending on how large your infection was, your dentist might prescribe you something stronger such as Tylenol 3 with codeine.
• Although there are complications at times, most root canals are satisfactory. After your root canal treatment you can go about your normal activities. If you have a crown over your root canal it is recommended to be extra cautious on keeping it clean – this means brushing and flossing habitually.

There is no need to fear a root canal; after all, it is what saves you from a whole lot of pain. If you have any questions regarding the treatment of a root canal then don’t hesitate to call Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS and Staff.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 http://www.drkezian.com


-N.S.