Root Canal Therapy
If your tooth has become severely infected, decayed, root canal therapy can save your tooth.
When diagnosis indicates the need for a root canal treatment, our first priority is our patients’ peace of mind.
We ensure that our patients feel at-ease about the procedure by offering ways to manage your pain.
Dr. Wilson Leung and Dr. Katherine Leung make root canal therapy as relaxing as possible.
How do I know if I need a root canal?
Signs you may need a root canal:
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Extreme sensitivity to cold or heat
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Spontaneous pain that wakes you in the middle of the night
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Spontaneous pain when you're not eating or drinking
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Toothache that worsens when you eat, or when you apply pressure
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Discoloration or darkening of a tooth
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Swelling or abscess in your gums
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Tenderness in your gums
Ignoring these signs or symptoms can be detrimental to your oral health, and may lead to further complications including increased pain or an abscessed tooth.
If you are unsure about any of the symptoms you’re experiencing, Schedule an appointment with Leung Dental in Hayward, CA, for a consultation and evaluation.
For most patients, a root canal can be performed in a single visit.
Our pre-treatment preparation ensures that both the tooth and the affected area are fully anesthetized for the entire procedure. In most cases, once the tooth is repaired, we recommend protecting it with a crown to prevent the tooth from breaking or fracturing.
What to Expect
DURING YOUR ROOT CANAL
First, we ensure that you are fully anesthetized and numb. The root canal therapy will either be completed in one or two appointments based on the health of the pulpal tissue. For more severely infected teeth, we may place an intra-canal medication for one to two weeks, so we can completely and effectively decontaminate the tooth before completing the root canal. In between treatments, we will place a temporary filling material to seal the tooth and to keep it sterile. We may reduce the height of the tooth, so it won't get damaged with your bite.
AFTER YOUR ROOT CANAL
After treatment, you may experience similar pain than before treatment for about two days. You should avoid chewing on that side of your mouth for a couple of days or until the tenderness has subsided. Dr. Leung will determine the final restoration for the tooth. It’s important to remember that teeth with root canals have a higher percentage of fracture, which is why a crown is recommended following root canal therapy. If your tooth is discolored or darkened, there is an option for for internal bleaching, which is a conservative method to lighten and whiten the tooth to match your other teeth. This can be discussed with Dr. Leung at your appointment.
What exactly is a root canal? Info guide from ADA
Contact Leung Dental
If you are looking for a caring and thorough dentist in the Hayward area, we encourage you to make an appointment with Dr. Wilson Leung and Dr. Katherine Leung by calling us at 510-886-8899, or by clicking here!
Each member of our staff is dedicated to ensuring that our patients are always comfortable and well-informed during their visits with us. We look forward to your call and welcoming you to the Leung Dental family.