Root Canal Treatment and Endodontics in Valencia, CA

An endodontist is a dentist who has completed at least two extra years of training beyond dental school, and the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) says fewer than three percent of dentists are endodontists. Endodontists diagnose tooth pain and perform procedures relating to the inside of the tooth, averaging 25 root canal treatments a week where a general dentist may do two, and dentists and endodontists often work as partners in care.

You do not always need to see an endodontist for a root canal. It is not done during a regular check-up: your dentist schedules a follow-up appointment or refers you to an endodontist. At Smile Care Valencia that partnership is in one building. Dr. Robert P. Hedvat is a general dentist, practicing since 2011 and leading the practice since 2018, and Dr. Benjamin Levi is our endodontist, so root canal treatment can continue in the same office.

The signs you may need a root canal, as the AAE lists them, are:

Tooth pain with swelling is not something to wait out: Cleveland Clinic says not to wait to get help if you have swelling and pain. Other warning signs are a loose tooth from infection weakening nearby bone, and pain that spreads to the jaw, face or nearby teeth.

Left untreated, the tissues around the root can become infected, an abscess may form inside the tooth or in the bone around the root, and bacteria can damage the bone that keeps the tooth connected to your jaw, putting you at risk of losing the tooth. Call or text (661) 255-1211, and our team will make every effort to see you as quickly as possible.

A root canal is necessary for decay that has reached the pulp, not for every cavity: the AAE says root canal treatment is needed when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected as a result of deep decay, repeated dental procedures, faulty crowns or a crack or chip in the tooth. Trauma can also damage the pulp even when the tooth shows no visible chips or cracks.

For a severely damaged, decaying tooth or a serious tooth infection, your dentist may recommend a root canal. Root canals are common, and good oral hygiene can help you avoid needing one. At our office X-rays are digital, giving clear images within seconds with typically less radiation than traditional film, and we have an in-office 3D cone-beam CT scanner.

During root canal treatment, inflamed or infected pulp is removed from inside the tooth, and the space is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed, as the AAE describes it. The pulp is the soft tissue beneath the enamel and dentin that holds blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, and a fully developed tooth can survive without it because the surrounding tissues keep nourishing the tooth.

The steps are X-rays for a clear view of the tooth and surrounding bone; numbing the area; a thin sheet of latex rubber over the tooth to keep it dry and clean; an opening in the top of the tooth; removing the nerve from inside the tooth and the root canals; cleaning each canal, sometimes with germ-killing medicine; filling the canals with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha to seal them against future infection; and a temporary filling until a permanent filling or crown can be placed. Treatment usually takes one or two office visits, and most root canals take about 60 to 90 minutes.

A root canal is not more painful than a regular dental procedure such as a filling or a wisdom tooth removal, because patients are given anesthesia, the AAE says. You may feel pressure during the procedure and mild soreness afterward, and once it is complete you should no longer feel the pain you had before. None of the three sources rates it on a scale of one to ten, so we do not either.

Afterward the tooth is generally a bit sore or numb and can cause mild discomfort for a few days. If you are nervous, you may be given medication to help you relax, and you might be drowsy after. Our sedation options are nitrous oxide, which is gentle and fast-acting with the patient awake and responsive and effects that wear off quickly; twilight sedation where appropriate, after reviewing your health and the planned procedure; and IV sedation under the care of a Dental Anesthesiologist. Our team takes dental anxiety seriously.

After a root canal, you will most likely be numb for two to four hours, and the AAE says most patients return to school or work directly after the appointment but should not eat until the numbness is completely gone. The tooth and the area around it may feel sensitive for a few days, and most people recover in less than a week. Eat soft foods such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, smoothies or well-cooked pasta, and call if the tooth hurts more after treatment, especially if the pain throbs.

The tooth then needs its permanent restoration. At a follow-up visit the temporary filling is removed and replaced with a regular filling or a crown to protect the tooth from further damage, sometimes with a metal or plastic post in the root canal to help support a crown. Wait until the permanent crown is placed before biting down on the treated tooth. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime.

The main option other than a root canal is removing the tooth, and the AAE says an extracted tooth must be replaced with an implant or bridge to restore chewing and keep neighboring teeth from shifting, procedures that tend to cost more than root canal treatment and the restoration that follows it.

Most root canals are successful and can last for many years, often a lifetime. When the damage is too severe for a root canal to work, the options are to re-treat the tooth with another root canal or to remove it and replace it with an implant or bridge. Dental implants are placed by Dr. Hedvat.

Root canal cost in Valencia depends on how complex the problem is and which tooth is affected, the AAE says, and molars are more difficult to treat, so the fee is usually higher. Most dental insurance policies provide some coverage for endodontic treatment. We do not list a price on this page.

We accept most PPO dental plans and CareCredit and offer financial arrangements; our team helps patients understand their benefits and financial options clearly before proceeding, and will gladly verify your coverage before treatment. Patients from Valencia, Santa Clarita, Saugus, Newhall and Stevenson Ranch can call (661) 255-1211 or request an appointment online.