Do I Need a Root Canal?

If you're experiencing persistent pain in your mouth, you might need root canal therapy from Dr. Suzanne Haeri in Los Angeles, CA. A specialist in cosmetic & general dentistry, Dr. Haeri is ready to get your teeth and gums looking and feeling their best.

When you hear the term root canal, it may invoke apprehension, tension – and sometimes fear. However, the procedure isn't the same – or nearly as painful – as it was years ago. Advancements in treatment and technology now make a root canal the equivalent of getting a cavity filled. So, do you need a root canal (endodontics)?

What Are Endodontics?

Endodontics deals with your teeth's nerves, and a root canal is the most well-known treatment in this field. When one of your teeth becomes infected, the nerves in your teeth are typically the culprit. To eliminate the infection, a cosmetic & general dentistry specialist in Los Angeles, CA, like Dr. Suzanne Haeri, may perform a root canal to remove the infected nerves.

When Is the Procedure Necessary?

The only way to determine for certain if you need the procedure is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. However, you should know some of the warning signs.

Recurring Toothache/Swelling

If you have a horrible, persistent toothache with swelling, it may be a sign you need the procedure. However, not all tooth pain requires the procedure. In some cases, incorporating meaningful oral hygiene into your daily routine can eliminate pain. If that doesn't work, it's time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Haeri.

Bumps Around Your Gums

If you see a pimple-like bump around your gumline, it may be a sign you have a dental abscess. The bumps typically indicate a severe infection requiring immediate attention. Not only does an abscess induce incredible pain, but it also indicates pockets of pus are forming around your teeth – and it's also a sign your teeth are starting to rot.

Discolored/Darkened Teeth

If one of your teeth recently changed colors to a gray or black shade, it could indicate tooth decay is occurring because of an infection. In some cases, internal tissues around the root of your teeth are starting to break down, requiring your dentist to go in and remove the damaged nerves.

If you're unsure if you need a root canal in Los Angeles, CA, contact Dr. Suzanne Haeri, a specialist in cosmetic & general dentistry, by calling (310) 637-2200.

Getting Crowns

We offer a variety of cosmetic dental services at the South Carthay office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri. If a patient has small cracks or chips in their teeth, we can provide ultra-thin veneers or naturally colored fillings to give them back a smile they’re proud of. But sometimes, teeth are damaged so badly that cosmetic care isn’t enough. In those cases, we provide patients with artificial crowns that we take care to ensure look and feel just as good as their original teeth. This week, we’re going to discuss the process of getting a crown and why they may be necessary.

 

Artificial crowns, or caps, replace the entirety of the outer part of the tooth above the gum line. They are used if a tooth has lost too much enamel to sustain a partial crown. Often, when a tooth is that damaged, it also requires root canal therapy to remove potentially infected pulp. Following the pulp extraction, the dentist will fill in the empty pulp chamber with a sealant, and then smooth the remaining enamel into a cylindrical abutment. An impression is then made of the patient’s mouth and sent to a dental laboratory, where a custom-fitted and colored artificial crown is fabricated out of a material such as porcelain.

 

While the permanent crown is being made, the patient will wear a temporary version. This could last for about two weeks. Once the new crown arrives at our office, the patient will be able to return to have it cemented in. Artificial crowns are vulnerable to decay, like natural teeth, and can be broken if the patient clenches their jaw in their sleep. However, with proper brushing and flossing, and with protection from night time grinding, an artificial crown can last for over ten years.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.

Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is a common procedure within the dental specialty of endodontics. Endodontics focuses on the roots or nerves of the teeth. When a patient doesn’t practice proper dental hygiene, a tooth infection can occur. If located in the roots, a root canal becomes necessary. Dr. Suzanne Haeri provides root canal therapy to her patients in Los Angeles, CA.

 

It is vital to treat tooth infections as soon as possible. If left untreated, the infection can spread throughout the mouth. It can also lead to long-term effects like bone loss in the jaw.

 

The procedure starts with your Los Angeles dentist applying a local anesthetic to the tooth. This numbs it and assures minimal discomfort. Dr. Haeri drills into the tooth, exposing the root canal. The infected materials are removed and the area is cleaned. Afterward, the dentist closes the root canal with a filling or sealant. It’s recommended for a dental crown to be placed too.

 

Overall, root canal therapy is highly successful and almost completely painless. It’s common to experience soreness the days following the procedure. Take over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medication as needed. Follow any and all post-operative instructions given by Dr. Haeri. Your recovery highly correlates to your root canal’s success.

 

If you or a loved one are in need of root canal therapy, contact Dr. Suzanne Haeri. Our office is located in Los Angeles, CA. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 310-657-2200.

What Is An Apicoectomy?

Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS performs root canals to save and repair teeth that are badly damaged or infected.  A root canal procedure involves removing any inflamed or infected tissue, and thoroughly cleaning the root canal system.  In most root canal cases, the tooth heals and doesn’t require further treatment. When an infection won’t go away or the canals become re-infected, Dr. Haeri can perform an apicoectomy.

An apicoectomy removes damaged tissue and seals a tooth’s root from any further infections.  The procedure involves a small incision in the gums, followed by removal of any infected tissue and finally the end of the root tip itself.  A root-end filling is placed there to act as a seal, preventing reinfection. The gum is sutured, and most patients only feel slight discomfort or swelling during healing.  If you have a tooth infection lingering after a root canal gone wrong, please contact us to discuss your treatment options.

To learn more about the apicoectomy procedure and all the services we provide, visit www.suzannehaeridds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS herself in our Los Angeles, CA office, call 310-657-2200.

Intrinsic Stains

As an expert in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Suzanne Haeri offers safe, effective, and fast teeth whitening. But although bleaching is a valuable tool for combatting stains on the outside of teeth, there are some stains that may be too deep for it to reach. These are intrinsic stains, and they require a different approach.

Intrinsic stains have two causes: absorption of dark molecules during the tooth’s formation, and inflammation. The molecules are usually from tetracycline antibiotics or too much fluoride. Neither of these is harmful and the affected teeth can be covered with veneers. But when a tooth suffers trauma or infection, the patient is at risk. Dental infections will not get better on their own, and they cause severe tooth aches and can progress to the point of endangering the patient’s life. A root canal is necessary to remove the infected matter and the tooth can be reshaped or concealed afterward. Depending on how much material is removed, a new, natural-colored crown may be needed.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200 or visit SuzanneHaeriDDS.com and fill out a request.

 

The Root Canal Procedure

If you’ve recently scheduled a root canal procedure with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS, chances are you might be a little frightened. “Root canal” has become a scary term for dental patients to hear, however the benefits of the procedures along with the advances in dental technology has made it much less scary. When a tooth becomes infected, it is usually related to the nerves in the root of the tooth. The infected roots will need to be removed because of this. We want to make you as comfortable as possible here at the practice, so allow us to explain the root canal procedure step-by-step.

The root canal usually takes one to three visits. First, you will have dental X-rays done to check the extent of the damage. You will also receive a local anesthetic to control pain. A rubber-like sheet called a dental dam is then put in your mouth to keep the tooth clean, protected and free of saliva. Decay is removed, and an opening is made through the crown of the tooth to gain access to the pulp chamber. After the diseased pulp is removed, the pulp chamber and root canals are flushed out and cleaned. If your root canal requires multiple visits, a temporary filling is placed in the crown to protect the tooth and keep out debris and saliva. The final stage of the root canal is restoring your tooth and experiencing pain relief.

If you have questions about the root canal procedure, give us a call. To learn more about endodontic treatment as well as other services we provide, visit www.suzannehaeridds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, call 310-657-2200.