Root Canal Therapy in Westlake Village
A lingering ache when you sip hot coffee, a twinge that wakes you at night, or a tooth that has slowly turned darker than its neighbors can all point to the same problem: inflammation or infection inside the tooth's pulp. Root canal therapy treats that inner tissue so you can keep your natural tooth instead of losing it. At 805 Dentistry, our Thousand Oaks office regularly sees Westlake Village patients for this care. Our team includes a board-certified endodontist, so diagnosis and treatment happen under one roof.
Every tooth has a hollow core of soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. Deep decay, a crack, or a hard blow can let bacteria reach the pulp. Once that happens, the tissue can become inflamed or infected. Root canal therapy removes the damaged pulp, cleans and shapes the canals inside the root, and seals them so bacteria can't return. The outer tooth stays in place and keeps doing its job.
You may be a candidate if you have lingering sensitivity to heat or cold, pain when chewing, swelling near a tooth, or a tooth that has darkened after an injury. Our endodontics team also treats cracked teeth and traumatic dental injuries, and we perform root canal retreatments when a previously treated tooth needs attention again. Westlake Village patients don't need a referral to see our endodontist. When a problem can't wait, we offer same-day emergency appointments.
The steps are the same for every tooth, but the work depends on which tooth is involved. Anterior root canals treat the front teeth: the incisors and canines. These teeth usually have a single, fairly straight canal, which tends to make treatment more direct. Because they are visible when you smile, we also plan how the tooth will look once it's restored. Anterior treatment often suits patients whose front tooth was injured or has started to discolor.
Premolar root canals treat the teeth just in front of your molars. Premolars may have one or two canals, so they sit between front teeth and molars in complexity. Molar root canals treat the large back teeth that handle most of your chewing. Molars typically have several curved canals that are harder to reach, so careful imaging and a methodical approach matter most here. Patients with deep decay in back teeth or pain when biting down often need molar treatment.
What happens during a root canal appointment?
Most root canal visits follow a clear, predictable sequence. We start by examining the tooth and taking images. Our practice provides 2D and 3D dental imaging, including CBCT imaging, which shows the root structure in detail. This is especially useful for molars with complex canals.
Here is what to expect:
- We numb the area thoroughly. For patients with dental anxiety, we also offer nitrous, oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia, provided by our board-certified dental anesthesiologist.
- We create a small opening in the tooth and remove the inflamed or infected pulp.
- We clean, disinfect, and shape each canal.
- We fill and seal the canals to keep bacteria out.
- We place a temporary or permanent restoration, depending on your treatment plan.
If an infection persists at the tip of a root, we also offer apicoectomy, a minor surgical procedure. We'll explain whether that applies to you before any treatment begins.
How do I care for my tooth after a root canal?
Treat the tooth gently for the first few days and follow the instructions we give you at your appointment. Some tenderness is common while the surrounding tissue settles. Avoid chewing hard foods on that side until the tooth is fully restored, and keep brushing and flossing normally.
Many treated teeth, especially molars and premolars, need a crown to protect them from cracking under chewing pressure. Our on-site dental lab supports this restorative step. We'll walk you through when your crown or final restoration should be placed. Regular checkups also let us monitor the tooth over time. Because we provide general, family, and specialty care, your whole household can keep their routine visits in one place.
How can I pay for root canal therapy?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and we welcome self-pay patients. Endodontic treatment is filed with insurance as a specialist service. Our team can help you understand how your plan handles that before you commit to treatment.
Financing is available if you'd like to spread out the cost. Before treatment, we review your options so there are no surprises. If a tooth has been bothering you, call our office to schedule an evaluation with our endodontic team.