So you’ve been told you need a root canal – what exactly does that mean?

A root canal is a treatment that generally removes infected or damaged pulp (tissue and nerves) from a tooth. During this process, the dentist will clean and seal the root canal and place a crown over the tooth in order to keep it in tact rather than pulling the tooth out of the mouth.

According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), more than 15 million root canals are performed in the United States each year.

According to the AAE, symptoms of an infection that may require a root canal include intense pain that may be difficult to pinpoint; pain after eating hot or cold foods; or tenderness and swelling in gums near the affected tooth.

Cracked teeth or cavities may allow bacteria to enter the tooth, causing the pulp to become diseased. For some people, according to the American Dental Association, pus builds up at the root, becoming an abscess that can damage surrounding bone and teeth, which leads to pain.

Either a dentist or an endodontist may perform the root canal, which involves opening the crown so he or she can reach the pulp chamber. According to the AAE, endodontists are more skilled at this procedure because they each perform an average of 25 root canals a week and specialize in problems relating to the pulp, compared to two per week for general dentists.

The process, performed under local anesthesia, may take up to three visits because the dental professional may want to allow a few days for the tooth to drain. During that time, the tooth may be covered with a temporary filling to prevent further damage and allow healing. The process may also include adding some antibiotics to kill any remaining germs in the tooth.

If you visit an endodontist, according to the ADA, you may be sent to your regular Los Angeles dentist for placement of the permanent gold or porcelain crown, which can last a lifetime with proper hygiene. The entire procedure is intended to leave the patient pain-free.

If in need of a Los Angeles endodontist, check Angie’s List to see which of the 648 specialists have been highly rated and recommended by members in your area.