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Save your smile with the help of a root canal.
Root canals have certainly been the brunt of many jokes; however, not so much anymore. That’s because more and more people are realizing that this procedure is actually nothing to fear, and that is instead incredibly beneficial to maintaining a healthy smile. Here at the Santa Cruz, CA, office of dentist Dr. John Baron, we want you to know exactly what is entailed with root canal treatment—read on to learn more!
Save your smile
If our Santa Cruz, CA, dentist has discovered that you have infected or inflamed dental pulp, then a root canal is the only procedure that can address this problem. The sooner that you receive this care and remove the damaged pulp, the sooner that you can eliminate the trademark toothache associated with damaged pulp.
Say goodbye to pain
As alluded to above, one reason people come into our office between cleanings is to address toothaches. A toothache is a dental emergency that needs to be treated right away. While a toothache could mean lots of things including a cavity, a severe toothache that gets worse when biting down or is accompanied by random tooth sensitivity could be a sign that you need a root canal.
A root canal is performed under local anesthesia, which will numb the area around the tooth. Not only should you not feel any discomfort during your procedure, but this treatment also eliminates the pain caused by the infected tissue inside the tooth. During treatment, we will remove the diseased tissue, disinfect the tooth, and apply a sealant inside of the structure before placing a dental crown. After that, your smile will be healthy once again!
Your natural teeth help you bite, chew, speak and look like you. If one is compromised by decay, accident or infection, should you extract it? Dr. John Baron, your Santa Cruz dentist, believes in saving as many natural teeth as possible. So, he offers a wide range of restorative treatments, including comfortable and precise root canal therapy. Also called endodontic therapy, a root canal can bring your tooth back to full health and functionality.
What is a root canal?
It's actually a part of your tooth. A root canal, or narrow chamber, runs down each and every tooth root--up to four in all for large teeth, such as molars. Filled with blood vessels, connective tissue and nerves, a root canal is subject to injury, decay and infection, jeopardizing the overall health of the tooth.
A root canal treatment, or endodontic therapy, performed in your Santa Cruz dentist's office, removes this diseased or injured pulp, disinfects the canal and seals the area with biocompatible gutta-percha. A temporary filling or crown protects the treated tooth while a trusted dental lab fashions a permanent porcelain crown. Dr. Baron places the crown when your tooth is fully healed--about a week or so after treatment.
When is a root canal needed?
Dental fracture, abscess or multiple restorations may endanger the health of a tooth. Sometimes, a patient cannot tell a tooth is infected or cracked. He or she truly exhibits no symptoms, says the American Association of Endodontists. That's why semi-annual visits to the dentist are so important.
Other sickly teeth, however, may show many symptoms they need root canal therapy. Symptoms include:
- Enamel discoloration
- A raised, red pimple on the gums
- Foul-tasting drainage
- Extreme and recurring dental sensitivity to heat, cold, pressure or sugary drinks or foods
- An obvious crack or chip
- Toothache
If you have some or all of these symptoms, please call Dr. Baron right away for an evaluation.
Caring for your restored tooth
After a root canal treatment and crown placement, your tooth may be a bit tender for a few days. Treat it gently with soft foods and careful brushing and flossing.
For the long-term, be diligent about your at-home oral hygiene, and see Dr. Baron twice a year for exams and cleanings. Your renewed tooth can last for many years.
Call us
If you suspect you have an oral health issue, such as an infected tooth, or if it's simply time for your routine check-up, please contact Dr. Baron's office at (831) 426-9200. Your smile can look great and feel really good, too.
Find out what the entire root canal therapy process entails in Santa Cruz.
If you are preparing for an upcoming root canal therapy, then you are probably looking for information to demystify your upcoming procedure. No one likes to go into a medical procedure without a little information about what’s to come. Your Santa Cruz dentist, John Baron, D.D.S., is here to give you some details about what you can expect from your next dental procedure and subsequent visits.
First Visit
During your first visit we will run X-rays to examine the inside of the tooth and see whether the pulp is inflamed or if there is an infection. Through these images we can determine whether a root canal is the best course of action or whether we will need to perform a tooth extraction instead. Then we will schedule your next appointment, which will include treating your infected tooth.
Second Visit
During your second visit, we will administer a local anesthesia and then go into the tooth and take out the pulp and any diseased tissue. We will also thoroughly clean the inside of the tooth to remove any debris, pus and bacteria to prevent another infection from occurring in the future.
Once we have thoroughly removed all dental irritants from the inside of your tooth we will perform shaping, in which we will enlarge the canal of the tooth to prepare it for the last visit where we will fill and seal your tooth. Between your second and third visit, your Santa Cruz dentist will place a temporary filling on the treated tooth to protect it.
Third Visit
After your tooth has been cleaned out properly and shaped, it’s ready to be sealed. We will use a rubber-like material called gutta percha, which is shaped like a cone. We will apply a sealer to each cone that we use to help seal up the spaces between the cones. Each cone of gutta percha will then be placed into the canal of the tooth.
If there hasn’t been a significant amount of damage to the tooth we may only need to fill the top part of the tooth with a resin; however, many people will need to have a dental crown placed over their tooth to prevent further damage and restore function. Your Santa Cruz dentist, Dr. Baron, will tell you what will best for your smile.
Call E. John Baron DDS, INC. Today!
If you have any questions about your upcoming root canal, your Santa Cruz dentist, Dr. Baron, is always here to answer any of your questions and make this process a little easier for you. There is no need to stress yourself out. Call us today at 831-426-9200 and let us ease your concerns.
Are you a patient of E. John Baron DDS, INC.? If so, we would love to hear about your experiences below!
Dr. John Baron Gets to the Root of Root Canal Myths

Myth 1: A root canal is painful
Myth 2: Extraction is better
Alleviate your pain with Root Canal Therapy in Santa Cruz!

So, What is Root Canal Therapy?
Signs That You May Have an Infection
- Minimal to severe pain
- Tooth discoloration
- Swelling and irritation in the surrounding gum tissue
- Signs of infection visible on a radiograph
Are you experiencing pain in your mouth? Schedule and appointment with Dr. John Baron today to find out if you need a root canal.

E. John Baron DDS, INC.
550 Water Street, Suite L-1
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 426-9200
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