Are you dealing with a severe toothache? While you might believe it is a simple cavity that can be filled by a general dentist, this is not always the case. A toothache may be an indication of a much more serious problem that requires more than just a dental filling. Toothaches can occur if there is an abscess, infection, or injury that has reached the dental pulp within the tooth’s inner canals. To treat this problem, patients may need to undergo root canal therapy with Dr. Stephen P. Eriksen of Walnut Creek, CA.

What is root canal therapy?

Walnut Creek, California area patients who are told by Dr. Stephen P. Eriksen that a root canal procedure will help them save their tooth are often uneasy about undergoing such a procedure. Over the years, many patients have assumed that root canal treatment is painful. However, the pain of an infection or abscess is what brings patients in for relief. Root canal therapy, or “endodontic therapy,” is performed with proper anesthetic and sedation for the patient so the entire treatment is comfortable. Root canal therapy is a procedure during which the dentist will access the inner canals of the tooth to remove the dental pulp inside. Once the area is cleaned out and disinfected, the tooth is filled with gutta percha. The tooth may become weak with time after root canal therapy, so the dentist often places a dental crown over the tooth to strengthen it.

Why choose root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy:

  • Is affordable and often covered in part with dental insurance plans
  • Allows a patient to save a natural tooth
  • Addresses the abscess or infection immediately
  • Eliminates the need for tooth replacement
  • Is a tried-and-true method of saving a tooth from extraction

Eliminate the fear of root canal therapy by better understanding the process

At Walnut Creek Laser Dentistry, Dr. Stephen P. Eriksen and his team of professionals are available to help patients determine if they need root canal therapy or any other treatments to restore the health of the smile. If you live in or around the Walnut Creek, CA community and are interested in learning more about the benefits of root canal therapy to save a tooth, call the office at (925) 962-2120. The office, conveniently located at 2021 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite #A2, accepts new and current patients for general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry.