Endodontics in Santa Monica

Endodontics focuses on the dental pulp and surrounding tissues, primarily through root canal therapy. This procedure involves removing infected or damaged pulp, cleaning and sealing the root canals to save natural teeth from decay, infection, or trauma.

Endodontists also perform endodontic surgery, treat dental trauma, and manage pulp conditions using advanced techniques like digital imaging and microscopic magnification.

The goal is to relieve pain, eliminate infection, and preserve the natural tooth, promoting oral health and maintaining dental functionality.

Endodontic treatment is needed when the dental pulp (soft tissue with nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth) becomes inflamed or infected due to severe decay, large fillings, cracked or chipped teeth, or repeated dental procedures. If untreated, this can cause pain, swelling, and abscesses.

Symptoms indicating the need for treatment include:

• Persistent toothache, especially when lying down
• Sharp pain when biting or chewing
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Gum swelling around the tooth
• Tooth discoloration
• Facial swelling

A root canal removes the damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the root canals, and seals the tooth to prevent further infection. This procedure alleviates pain, saves the natural tooth, and restores oral health.

During an endodontic appointment in our Santa Monica clinic, Dr. Fahid evaluates your dental history and conducts a thorough examination, which may include X-rays, to diagnose the issue. If endodontic treatment is deemed necessary, the patient is numbed with local anesthesia to ensure comfort.

Dr. Fahid then accesses the tooth’s pulp chamber, removes the infected or damaged pulp, and cleans and disinfects the root canals. Once the canals are prepared, a filling material is used to seal the space. In some cases, a temporary filling is placed to protect the tooth between appointments. In subsequent visits, the tooth is further sealed, and a crown may be recommended to restore strength and function. The goal is to alleviate pain, resolve infection, and preserve the natural tooth, promoting long-term oral health.