The pulp chamber of the tooth contains the nerves and blood supply for the tooth. The nerves and the blood supply give life to the tooth. A root canal is necessary when the pulp of the tooth becomes infected due to either excessive decay or an injury to the tooth.

The practice of treating the pulp chamber of the tooth is known as endodontics. At Summerhills Dental Care in Citrus Heights, California, we keep up on the latest techniques of endodontic diagnosis and treatment. When the need arises, we utilize our colleagues who specialize in endodontic treatment to make sure you get the best possible care for your tooth.

Citrus Heights’ dentist provided Root canal therapy may be need if you have:

  •  Chronic tooth pain
  •  If you have had an injury to a tooth — usually a front tooth
  •  If you experience tooth pain when the tooth comes in contact with either hot or cold liquids
  •  If you experience pain when biting down on a tooth

When it is determined that a tooth needs a root canal, the infected pulp is removed in one or two visits and the remaining chamber is filled with a material to seal it off. The staff at Summerhills Dental Care makes sure this process is comfortable and pain free. A tooth which has had a root canal will become brittle over time making it susceptible to fractures. As a result, all teeth treated with root canal therapy must be protected with a tooth-like covering known as a crown.

The only alternative to root canal therapy is removal of the tooth. Once a tooth is removed, a dental implant or bridge is necessary so that the surrounding teeth do not move into the empty space. These solutions cost more than the root canal therapy and crown and they are never as good an option as keeping the natural tooth.

The good news is, most insurance providers cover a significant amount of the root canal and crown cost. Our staff at Summerhills Dental Care in Citrus Heights, CA will help you estimate the out of pocket cost in the event this treatment is necessary.

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At Summerhills Dental Care in Citrus Heights, CA we believe that no person should have to deal with tooth pain. If you have continuous tooth pain or you have had an injury to a front tooth, please contact our office at (916) 723-3368. We will be happy to evaluate your tooth and provide treatment options.