A Brighter Dental Experience
Gentle Root Canal Treatment in Beverly Hills
A root canal has a worse reputation than it deserves. The treatment does not cause pain; it relieves the pain of an infected or inflamed tooth, and it lets you keep your natural tooth instead of losing it. At Applemint in Beverly Hills, Dr. Caroline Malakuti performs gentle root canal treatment with thorough numbing, clear explanations at every step and sedation available for anxious patients. For most people the appointment feels much like getting a filling, and the toothache that brought them in is gone within days.
Benefits
- Relieves toothache caused by infection or inflamed nerves
- Saves your natural tooth instead of extracting it
- Stops infection from spreading to the bone and nearby teeth
- Thorough numbing, with sedation available if you are anxious
- Usually completed in one or two visits
- Restored with a natural-looking crown or filling
What Is a Root Canal?
Inside every tooth is a soft core called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels and runs down through narrow channels in the roots. When deep decay, a crack, an injury or repeated dental work lets bacteria reach the pulp, it can become inflamed or infected. Because the pulp is sealed inside hard tooth structure, that inflammation has nowhere to go, which is why an infected tooth can be so painful.
Root canal treatment removes the damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth and seals it. The tooth stays in place and, once restored, works like any other tooth.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold that lasts after the food or drink is gone
- Sharp or throbbing pain when you bite or chew
- A toothache that wakes you up at night
- Swelling or tenderness in the gums near a tooth
- A pimple-like bump on the gum that may drain
- A tooth that has darkened after an injury
Some infected teeth cause no pain at all and are found only on an X-ray at a routine visit. Antibiotics can calm swelling for a while, but they cannot clear an infection from inside a tooth, so treatment is still needed. If you have severe pain or facial swelling, call us the same day.
Root Canal or Extraction?
When a tooth is badly infected, the two options are to treat it with a root canal or to remove it. Keeping your natural tooth is almost always the better choice when it can be saved. A treated tooth keeps your bite and your jawbone intact and does not need to be replaced. An extracted tooth leaves a gap that usually needs an implant or bridge to prevent neighboring teeth from shifting, which means more time and more treatment.
If a tooth is too damaged to save, we will tell you honestly and walk you through replacement options, including dental implants.
Restoring Your Tooth Afterward
A tooth that has had a root canal can become more brittle over time, especially a back tooth that takes heavy chewing forces. Most molars and premolars need a crown afterward to protect them from cracking, while some front teeth can be restored with a tooth-colored filling. We plan your restoration from the start so your tooth looks natural and is protected for the long term.
Recovery After Treatment
Most patients return to work or their normal routine the same day. Your tooth may feel tender for a few days, especially when biting, and over-the-counter pain relievers usually take care of it. Until your final crown or filling is placed, avoid chewing hard or sticky foods on that side.
With a well-sealed tooth and a proper restoration, a tooth treated with a root canal can last for many years, often a lifetime. Keep brushing, flossing and visiting us for regular checkups, just as you would for your other teeth.
The Process, Step by Step
Exam and X-rays
We examine the tooth, test how it responds and take X-rays to see the infection and the shape of the roots.
Numbing and comfort
We numb the tooth thoroughly and, if you are anxious, can add sedation so you stay relaxed throughout.
Cleaning the canals
We make a small opening, remove the damaged pulp, then clean, shape and disinfect each canal.
Sealing
The canals are filled and sealed to keep bacteria out, and the opening is closed with a temporary or permanent filling.
Final restoration
We place a crown or filling to protect the tooth and restore its full strength and appearance.
Your Root Canals Dentist
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are root canals painful?
- Modern root canals feel much like getting a filling. The tooth is fully numbed during treatment, and most patients feel only mild soreness for a few days afterward. The procedure relieves the pain of the infection rather than causing it.
- How long does a root canal take?
- Most root canals take about one to two hours and are finished in one or two visits, depending on the tooth and how many canals it has. Your crown is usually placed at a later visit.
- How long does recovery take?
- Most patients return to normal activities the same day. Any tenderness typically resolves within a few days and is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Do I need a crown after a root canal?
- Usually for back teeth, yes. Molars and premolars take heavy chewing forces and are more likely to crack after a root canal without a crown. Some front teeth can be restored with a filling instead.
- Can I be sedated for a root canal?
- Yes. If you feel anxious, we offer sleep dentistry so you can relax through the appointment. Local anesthesia still numbs the tooth, so you stay comfortable either way.
- Can antibiotics fix a tooth infection instead?
- No. Antibiotics can reduce swelling and spreading infection for a time, but they cannot reach the infected pulp inside the tooth. The source of the infection has to be removed with a root canal or extraction.
- How long does a root canal last?
- With a good seal, a proper crown or filling and regular care, a tooth treated with a root canal can last many years and often a lifetime.
Ready to get started?
Schedule a consultation to discuss your Root Canals options.