Root Canals Specialist
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John E Taylor, DDS
General Dentist & Cosmetic Dentist located in Ladera Ranch, CA
A tooth infection causes severe pain and swelling and can eventually lead to tooth loss. With state-of-the-art technology at the dental office in Ladera Ranch, California, John E. Taylor, DDS, and his team can effectively eliminate your tooth infection before it damages your tooth. A root canal is a dental procedure that removes the infection from your tooth to save it from further damage. To learn more about how root canals can protect your teeth, call John E. Taylor, DDS, or book an appointment online today.
Root Canals Q&A
What are root canals?
Root canals are tooth-saving treatments that restore a damaged tooth after an infection or severe inflammation.
At the center of your teeth is a soft material called pulp. Your pulp plays an essential role in your tooth development. It contains nerves and blood vessels, but you no longer need your pulp once your teeth fully mature.
To save your infected or inflamed tooth from further damage, Dr. Taylor performs a root canal to remove the pulp and any infected material inside your tooth chamber.
How do I know if I need a root canal?
You may not realize you have a tooth infection until you start experiencing pain and discomfort in your tooth. Call Dr. Taylor and his team right away if you have:
- Tooth pain
- Headaches
- Pain when chewing
- Sensitivity to temperature
- Fever
- Facial swelling
- Swollen lymph nodes in your jaw or neck
If you experience a sudden rush of foul-tasting liquid in your mouth, you may have a ruptured tooth abscess. To ensure your tooth remains healthy and strong, contact Dr. Taylor and his team for an emergency appointment.
What happens during root canals?
Dr. Taylor uses local anesthesia to numb the area during the root canal procedure. Once you’re relaxed and comfortable, he creates a small access hole in the center of your tooth and uses small dental instruments to reach the tooth chamber.
To completely remove the infection, Dr. Taylor clears out your tooth pulp and any surrounding bacteria and debris. Next, he disinfects the tooth chamber to ensure the infection can’t spread or cause any more damage.
Finally, Dr. Taylor fills your tooth with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha to restore the strength of your tooth. He protects your tooth from further infection by sealing it with an adhesive cement.
To ensure your tooth remains healthy, Dr. Taylor may recommend fitting you for a dental crown. A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers the entire visible portion of your tooth to protect it from damage and decay.
If you have a damaged or infected tooth, call John E. Taylor, DDS, or book an appointment online to learn more about root canal therapy.
