Root Canal Therapy in Willits, CA

What Is a Root Canal?

Inside every tooth is a soft core called the pulp, containing nerves and blood vessels. When that pulp becomes infected or inflamed — usually from deep decay, a crack, or repeated dental work on the same tooth — a root canal removes the damaged pulp, cleans out the inner chamber, and seals it to prevent further infection. The tooth is then typically restored with a filling or crown so it can keep functioning normally for years.

Signs You May Need One

• A persistent or throbbing toothache, especially with chewing or pressure
• Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers well after the stimulus is gone
• Swelling or tenderness in the gums near a specific tooth
• A tooth that has darkened or discolored
• A small bump on the gum that looks like a pimple

If any of these sound familiar, it's worth having Dr. D'Angelo take a look sooner rather than later — untreated infections don't resolve on their own and can spread.

What to Expect

1. 1
   Numbing & access. The area is fully numbed, and a small opening is made in the top of the tooth.
2. 2
   Cleaning. The infected pulp is carefully removed, and the inner canals are cleaned and shaped.
3. 3
   Sealing. The empty space is filled and sealed to keep bacteria out.
4. 4
   Restoring. In most cases, a crown is placed afterward to protect the tooth and restore its strength.

Will It Hurt?

Modern root canal therapy is performed under local anesthesia, and most patients report the experience feels similar to getting a routine filling. The pain people associate with "needing a root canal" almost always comes from the infection itself, not the treatment that resolves it.