Request an Appointment

Toggle navigation
  • blog
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
1472 Cedarwood Lane Pleasanton, CA 94566(925) 846-2375
  • Home
  • About Our Team
    • Meet Our Doctor
    • Meet Our Team
  • About Our Office
    • Financial Policies
    • New Patient Forms
    • Tour Our Office
    • Our Mission
    • Get to Know Us
    • Patient Testimonials
  • Dental Services
    • Cleanings and Prevention
      • Bruxism and Mouthguards
      • Fluoride Treatments
      • Sealants
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Fillings
      • Dentures
      • Implants
        • Dental Implants
        • Single Tooth
        • Multiple Teeth
        • All Teeth
      • Crowns
      • Bridges
      • Veneers
      • Inlays and Onlays
      • Bonding
      • Lumineers
        • Lumineers FAQ
        • Before and After
        • Perfect Smile
        • Lumismile
    • Gum and Bone
      • Bone Grafting
      • Cleanings and Prevention
      • Crown Lengthening
      • Frenectomy
      • Gum Tissue Graft
      • Perio Plastic Surgery
      • Ridge Augmentation
      • Scaling and Root Planing
      • Sinus Lift
    • Oral Surgery
      • Fractured Teeth
      • MDI Mini Dental Implants
      • Oral Cancer Exams and Biopsies
      • Pericoronitis
      • Wisdom Teeth
    • Orthodontics
      • ClearCorrect
      • Common Orthodontic Treatment
      • Craniofacial Orthodontics
      • Invisalign
      • Living with Braces
      • Myths and Fact About Orthodontics
      • Orthodontic FAQ
      • Orthodontic Glossary
      • Orthodontic Treatment for Children
      • Post Op Care of Extractions
      • Retainers
      • Six Month Smiles
        • Six Month Smiles FAQ
      • Space Maintainers
      • Surgical Orthodontics
      • Treatment for Adults
      • Treatment for Children
      • Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment
      • Types of Appliances
      • Types of Braces
    • Pedodontics
      • Pulpotomy
      • Sealants
    • Root Canal
      • Knocked Out Tooth
      • Root Canal FAQ
      • Root Canal Surgery
      • Traumatic Injuries
    • Sedation Dentistry
    • TMJ
    • Sleep Apnea
  • Appointment Request
  • Patient Information
    • Dental Glossary
    • Development of the Teeth
    • FAQ
    • Fun Links for Kids
    • Patient Education
      • Acid Experiment
      • ANUG Trench Mouth
      • Bad Breath
      • Bruxism Tooth Grinding
      • Chemo and Your Mouth
      • Conditions of the Tongue
      • Dental X Rays
      • Denture Care
      • Dry Mouth
      • Fluoride Experiment
      • How to Brush
      • How to Floss
      • How to Read X Rays
      • Oncology Guide
      • Smokeless Tobacco
      • Tooth Anatomy
      • Tooth Sensitivity
      • Toothpaste Ingredients
    • Post Op Instructions
      • Crowns and Bridges Post Op
      • Dentures Post Op
      • Extractions Post Op
      • Fillings Post Op
      • Gum Surgery Post Op
      • Porcelain Veneers Post Op
      • Root Canal Post Op
      • Scaling and Root Planing Post Op
    • Teeth Trivia
    • Tips for Parents
    • Useful Dental Links
  • Smile Gallery
    • Bonding Gallery
    • Crowns Gallery
    • Dentures Gallery
    • Fillings Gallery
    • Implants Gallery
    • Orthodontic Gallery
    • Periodontal Gallery
    • Root Canal Gallery
    • Six Month Smiles Gallery
    • Veneers Gallery
    • Whitening Gallery
  • Technology
    • DEXIS Digital X Rays
    • Gendex Digital X-Ray
    • iTero Digital Impressions
    • Nitrous Oxide
    • NTI System
    • Opalescense Boost
    • Opalescense Take Home
    • VELscope
    • Zoom Take Home
  • Contact Us
    • Patient Privacy
  • My Blog

Root Canal FAQ

Online Dental Education Library

Our team of dental specialists and staff strive to improve the overall health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions associated with your teeth and gums. Please use our dental library to learn more about dental problems and treatments available. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us.

Root Canal Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is the removal of the nerve and blood vessels of a tooth for the purpose of trying to save the tooth from extraction. A simple analogy is removing the wick from a candle. The void where the wick was is cleaned and smoothed and then we place a rubber-type material into the cleaned out space to seal the canal.

What is the dental pulp?

The pulp is the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It lies within the tooth and extends from within the crown of the tooth (that portion of the tooth that is visible) to the tip of the root in the bone of the jaw.

What happens if the pulp gets injured?

When the pulp is diseased or injured and can't repair itself, it dies. The most common cause of pulp death is a cracked tooth or a deep cavity. Both of these problems can let germs (bacteria) enter the pulp. Germs can cause an infection inside of the tooth. Left without treatment, pus builds up at the root tip, in the jawbone, forming a "pus-pocket" called an abscess. An abscess can cause damage to the bone around the teeth.

Why does the pulp need to be removed?

When the infected pulp, which is made up of blood vessels and nerves, is not removed, pain and/or swelling can result. Some elements of the infection can injure your jaw bones and the resulting bacteria may enter your bloodstream. Without treatment, your tooth may have to be removed. In severe cases, you might need to be hospitalized due to an infection throughout your body.

What does treatment involve?

Treatment often involves from one to three visits. During treatment, the diseased pulp is removed. The pulp chamber and root canal(s) of the tooth are then cleaned and filled with a rubber-type material that seals the tooth so that no germs enter the tooth.

Here's how your tooth is saved through treatment:

First, an opening is made through the top of the tooth into the pulp chamber. The pulp is then removed. The root canal(s) is cleaned and smoothed. Medications may be put into the root canal(s) to help get rid of germs and prevent infection. If the treatment requires more than one visit, a temporary filling will be placed in the crown opening to protect the tooth between appointments or the tooth may be left open for a few days to drain. If a prescription is provided, please follow the directions as written. On the subsequent appointment, the temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and root canal(s) are cleaned and filled. However, if we advise you that your tooth requires a crown, you will need to return to our office for that procedure.

Please see our Root Canal Gallery for more information.


Learn More

  • New Patient Form
  • Free Cosmetic Exam
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Our Office

Our Location

1472 Cedarwood Lane
Pleasanton, CA 94566
(925) 846-2375

Map & directions

Dentist - Pleasanton, Jeffery E. Teutsch, DDS, 1472 Cedarwood Lane, Pleasanton, CA 94566 (925) 846-2375

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Offices
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Dental Web Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map