What Is Root Canal Treatment and Why Do You Need It?

You have been blessed with a set of pearly whites that have been designed to withstand almost anything, but they are not indestructible. At times, we subject our teeth to sugary foods, and over time your teeth start decaying. If this is the case, then you need to see our endodontist for a root canal.

Contrary to popular belief, a root canal procedure is not a traumatizing affair. Due to the technological advancements in dentistry, root canal treatment is a breeze. Our root canal specialist in NY can help save your natural tooth from further damage.

It is a simple procedure for a seasoned endodontist, and your smile can be restored in very few visits.

What Is Root Canal?

In a nutshell, a root canal procedure is an endodontic procedure that is carried out with the sole purpose of repairing a severely damaged or infected tooth. Under the hard outer covering of the tooth (enamel) and dentin, there is a softer part known as the pulp.

The pulp has tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue that are necessary for the growth and development of the tooth root. At times, the pulp becomes exposed possibly due to:

• Trauma
• A severe cavity
• Large tooth filling
• A cracked tooth
• Multiple dental treatments that have affected your root canal

If the pulp is exposed, then it becomes inflamed or infected. During endodontic treatment, the infected pulp is removed, and the inside is cleaned and then sealed. If the procedure is not done, then the tissue surrounding your tooth will become infected, leading to an abscess (a pus-filled pocket).

Why Is It Necessary to Remove the Pulp?

Typically, the tooth’s nerve is not ideally important for your tooth’s health or function, especially after it has erupted. The only function it has is sensory, meaning that you will experience the sensation of hot or cold. The absence of the nerve will not affect the tooth’s function.

So, when the nerve and the pulp are damaged, they breakdown and bacteria begin to grow within the pulp chamber. The bacteria can cause an infection known as an abscess. This pus-filled pocket usually happens when the infection spreads past the ends of the root.

This infection can also cause:

• Bone loss around the tip of the root
• Swelling that may spread to face, head or neck
• Drainage problems may occur which may extend outward from the root. This means that the fluid can drain into the gums or through the cheek into the skin.

How Do You Know That You Need a Root Canal?

Here are some of the signs that will indicate that you need to see our root canal specialist in NY:

• Sharp pain when chewing or biting
• Deep decay or darkened gums
• Discolored tooth
• Swollen gums around the affected tooth
• Pimples on the gums that keep on reappearing
• If you are experiencing extended periods of tooth sensitivity even when your teeth aren’t exposed to hot or cold substances

Root Canal Procedure

An endodontic procedure will typically be carried out in four steps and might require a minimum of two visits to complete.

• Step 1

Our dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the area and ensure that the procedure is pain-free. A dental dam will be placed around the affected tooth so that the area remains dry and free from saliva during the procedure.

• Step 2

Then, our dentist will drill at the top part of your tooth to gain access to the tooth canal. Our endodontist will use small files and an irrigating system to remove all the damaged and diseased tissue within the canal. Then, the canal will be cleaned.

Our dentist will shape the canal and wash it out. Depending on the severity of the infection, our dentist might apply an antimicrobial within the hollow pulp chamber. This is done to kill any bacteria left and reduce the chances of reinfection.

• Step 3

After the chamber has dried up, our dentist will use a gutta-percha (a rubbery material) to fill it in. The access point will be sealed using a temporary filling as you wait for your permanent crown.

• Step 4

After a week or so, our dentist will schedule you for another visit. The purpose of the visit is to fix in the permanent crown and finish the endodontic treatment. A crown or a metal post can be used to reinforce the tooth. Our root canal specialist should finish the whole procedure since they have been monitoring your progress and can comfortably complete the process.

Root Canal Cost

The cost typically depends on the severity of the problem and the tooth that is affected. Most dental insurance policies at least partially cover the cost of the procedure. A root canal is less expensive as opposed to extraction, which means that you have to replace the tooth to restore function.

Endodontic treatment at Faktor DMD is highly effective and pain-free. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.