Mention of "root canal" evokes images of severe pain so commonly that people often complain about other pains by saying, "I'd sooner have root canal." In truth, however, root canal is maligned unfairly. Advances in technology, and the experience of Los Angeles prosthodontist Dr. Azar-Mehr, have made root canal far less painful than its reputation suggests. Ironically, root canal is designed to minimize the pain from an infected tooth, it does not produce the pain.

Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp inside your tooth gets infected. The pulp is the soft tissue inside your tooth, home to connective tissues, blood vessels and nerves. The pulp goes from the crown of your tooth to the tip of the root in your jawbone. Normally, the tooth itself protects the pulp, but if the tooth is damaged by a very deep cavity, or a crack, or trauma from repeated repairs, bacteria can reach the pulp. Then the bacteria grow from the crown towards the root, pus accumulates at the root tips, and the mouth becomes painful and sensitive to hot and cold. Not all pulp infections bring pain; sometimes they spread so slowly that the patient feels nothing.

Root canal treatment occurs in three stages: First comes the diagnosis. Next comes the root canal itself, in which a dentist or an endodontist (a dentist who specializes in treating the inside of the tooth) removes the pulp (and thereby also the infection), and cleans the inside of the tooth preparatory to filling it, sometimes applying antibiotics to thwart further infection. A temporary filling is placed at the crown opening. Finally, in a subsequent appointment, a crown is installed to seal the tooth and protect it from further damage or infection.

Dentists and endodontists in the United States perform about 14 million root canals per year, with a 95% success rate. Excellent oral hygiene after your root canal can help ensure success and prevent reinfection. Keeping your original teeth should always be your main objective. An untreated infection inside a tooth will only worsen over time; the pulp cannot heal itself. Without treatment, you may eventually lose the tooth, and require a bridge or other costly restoration. Protect your teeth by getting treatment as soon as learn that you need it.

If something unfortunate happens to your teeth, it is important to consult Los Angeles dental crown and bridge specialist, Dr. Azar-Mehr, to minimize the impact on your entire mouth. Missing teeth can allow the surrounding teeth to become displaced, and make brushing and flossing more difficult. Cracked or damaged teeth should be fixed to save as much of the tooth as possible, and to ensure that the teeth are easy to clean.

By taking care of dental problems immediately, you minimize the risk of future problems.

• Crowns fix and protect teeth that are so damaged or diseased that they need more support than a simple filling.
• Bridges replace missing teeth and offer support for the surrounding teeth to help retain the integrity of the jaw and face structure.

Dental Crowns

Crowns, also known as caps, restore damaged teeth. A crown covers a tooth and mimics the shape, size and color of the surrounding teeth. Crowns are indicated for cracked teeth and teeth with deep cavities; to protect teeth that have been filled by root-canal treatment; to provide extra support for bridges; and to cover poorly shaped or colored teeth. Crowns may be made of metal, porcelain, or newer restorative materials. They are custom-made and fitted for each patient in conformation with the patient's bite, and the size and length of the natural teeth. Crowns typically last five to eight years, but can last much longer with proper oral hygiene.

Dental Bridges

A bridge stabilizes the bite of a patient who is missing one or more teeth. Bridges prevent the surrounding teeth from moving or shifting in the mouth. A missing tooth that is not replaced may cause surrounding teeth to become unstable and require removal … or make the teeth harder to clean, compromising oral health … or change the shape of a face and diminish the beauty of a smile.

Unlike partial dentures, bridges are permanent; patients cannot remove them.

There are three main kinds of bridges. In a traditional bridge, the pontic ("false tooth") is fused between the two crowns of the abutment teeth on either side. In a Maryland bridge, a metal band (hidden from view) binds the pontic to the abutment teeth. A cantilever bridge is necessary when there is an abutment tooth on only one side of the pontic. Maryland bridges work best when the teeth are front teeth adjoining healthy teeth that do not have large fillings.