Relieve Pain and Preserve your Natural Smile with our Expert Root Canal Treatments
Do you have a painful or sensitive tooth? Discover a pain-free lifestyle with advanced root canal treatment in our offices at Red Bluff and Chico, California. Dr. Randal S. Elloway and his team combine gentle care with advanced technology to provide precise and predictable root canals while maximizing comfort. Don’t let an infected tooth affect your comfort or oral health. Visit our office today and rediscover your healthy smile with gentle root canals.
Do I need a root canal?
Your tooth is shielded by a hard outer layer called enamel. Unfortunately, cavities, trauma, or repeated dental procedures can compromise this protective barrier. When that happens, harmful bacteria can reach the inner pulp—the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue—leading to infection. Your infected tooth can’t repair itself without a root canal.
So, how do you know you need a root canal? Here are the warning signs.
- A relentless toothache that doesn’t respond to home remedies
- Sharp pains when you bite or chew into something
- Swollen gums
- An infected tooth appears darker or yellower
- Sensitivity to hot or cold substances
Is a root canal necessary if I don’t feel any pain?
Sometimes, you may need a root canal even without pain. In these cases, the pulp inside the tooth may already be dead or dying, which prevents you from feeling pain, even though harmful bacteria are actively spreading.
That’s why routine dental exams and X-rays are so important. They allow your dentist to detect internal tooth issues that aren’t visible or painful yet. If Dr. Elloway identifies signs of infection during an exam, he’ll recommend a root canal to prevent future complications, even if you feel fine.
What can I expect during a root canal procedure?
We understand root canals can be intimidating, but rest assured, we’ll maximize your comfort and safety. Our patients tell us they couldn’t wish for a more seamless procedure. Need a root canal in Red Bluff or Chico, CA? Here’s what you can expect:
- Examination: The dentist will use dental X-rays to assess your teeth and determine the best course of treatment.
- Keeping you comfortable: We use local anesthetics to ensure a comfortable experience. If you’d like more help relaxing, we’ll discuss sedation dentistry.
- Cleaning and sealing: Using an access hole in your tooth, the dentist will remove the infected tissue and thoroughly clean your tooth until all the infection is eliminated. Next, we’ll seal your tooth with gutta-percha (rubber-like material) to prevent future infections.
- Aftercare: The dentist will give you aftercare tips for a smooth, pain-free recovery. Many patients are amazed to discover they can resume everyday activities within a day or two.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
In most cases, Dr. Elloway recommends placing a crown after endodontic treatment to protect and strengthen the treated tooth. A crown restores full function and prevents future damage. We’ll carefully evaluate your case and discuss the best option for long-term success.
Do you need root canal treatment in California?
Root canal therapy is a simple, tooth-saving procedure that offers benefits like:
- Pain relief
- Saves your tooth from extraction
- Avoids infections and other complications
- Prevents the need for costly tooth replacements
Suspect tooth infection?
Protect your smile with expert root canal services at Randal S. Elloway DDS, Inc. Call our Red Bluff office at (530) 527-6777 or our Chico practice at (530) 877-4994.
Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful. But when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth, the root and its nerves become irritated. As a result, the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure, the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with the natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95% or greater. Most root canal are diagnosed by patients’ sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist any symptoms or discomfort occur.
