Dental Implants/Emergency Services

 

Root Canals-Endodontic Treatment


Root Canals-Endodontic Treatment Santa Barbara Dental Spa

“Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek for “tooth.” Endodontic treatment treats the inside of the tooth. Root canal treatment is one type of endodontic treatment. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development.

The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root. The pulp is important during a tooth’s growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

This treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess. 

What are the signs of needing a Root Canal?

Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gum tissues. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms

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Root Canal Emergency Dental Services
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How much will the procedure cost?

The cost varies depending on how complex the problem is and which tooth is affected. Most dental insurance policies provide some coverage for endodontic treatment.

Generally, endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth are less expensive than the alternative of having the tooth extracted. An extracted tooth must be replaced with an implant or bridge to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These procedures tend to cost more than endodontic treatment and appropriate restoration.

Tooth Extractions


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Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. If a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, your dentist will try to fix it with a filling, crown or other treatment. Sometimes, though, there's too much damage for the tooth to be repaired. In this case, the tooth needs to be extracted. A very loose tooth also will require extraction if it can't be saved, even with bone replacement surgery (bone graft).

Here are other reasons:

  • Some people have extra teeth that block other teeth from coming in.
  • Sometimes baby teeth don't fall out in time to allow the permanent teeth to come in.
  • People getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for the teeth that are being moved into place.
  • People receiving radiation to the head and neck may need to have teeth in the field of radiation extracted.
  • People receiving cancer drugs may develop infected teeth because these drugs weaken the immune system. Infected teeth may need to be extracted.
  • Some teeth may need to be extracted if they could become a source of infection after an organ transplant. People with organ transplants have a high risk of infection because they must take drugs that decrease or suppress the immune system.
  • Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are often extracted either before or after they come in. They commonly come in during the late teens or early 20s. They need to be removed if they are decayed, cause pain or have a cyst or infection. These teeth often get stuck in the jaw (impacted) and do not come in. This can irritate the gum, causing pain and swelling. In this case, the tooth must be removed. If you need all four wisdom teeth removed, they are usually taken out at the same time.

If you expect to have treatment with intravenous drugs called bisphosphonates for a medical condition, be sure to see your dentist first. If any teeth need to be extracted, this should be done before your drug treatment begins. Having a tooth extraction after bisphosphonate treatment increases the risk of osteonecrosis (death of bone) in the jaw.

Some doctors prescribe antibiotics to be taken before and after surgery. This practice varies by the dentist or oral surgeon. Antibiotics are more likely to be given if:

  • You have infection at the time of surgery
  • You have a weakened immune system
  • You will have a long surgery
  • You have specific medical conditions

Temporization of Teeth


This is sometimes necessary to preserve occlusal relationships, prevent sensitivity or maintain esthetics. Clinical time spent with the patient is minimized by fabricating a matrix on a diagnostic cast prior to the preparation/ impression appointment.

Dr. Rai and his staff were fantastic. I was feeling pain on both sides of my mouth. I called and they were able to get me in the following morning. They put me at ease and did a great job. I would highly recommend Dr. Rai.
Elizabeth W. - Santa Barbara, CA

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Think you might be experiencing sleep apnea but aren’t sure? To help you start figuring out what may be going on with your sleep, you can take the Epworth Sleepiness Scale Sleep Apnea Assessment below.

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By BK Rai in Santa Barbara Dental News, Dental Education

Behind every dull, tired smirk is a smile waiting to beam. Your dentist loves helping patients unlock the smile of their dreams and offering them the latest and greatest in cosmetic dentistry.

Here are three of the best treatments to get if you’re looking to transform your smile.

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We Are Open And Taking Appointments!

By BK Rai in Important Announcements

Due to COVID 19 we have had to make changes in our schedule. Hygiene days are now Wednesdays and Thursdays. For the meantime, any appointment made for routine care will have to be kept and we will handle cancelations on a case by case basis. A fee will be applied to appointments canceled with less than 48 hours notice. Please contact our office about this policy if you have any questions.


  • All patients will be prescreened before appointment.

  • Call/Text upon arrival, we will meet you at the door when it is ok for you to come in.

  • Shoes will be sanitized at the door.

  • Wear a mask at all times unless advised otherwise.

  • Oxygen levels and/or temperature will be taken upon arrival. 

  • We have designated "Sanitation Stations" throughout the office to be used freely.

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