Table of contents
What Is a Root Canal?
Root canal therapy is designed to eliminate inflammation and infection from the tooth pulp and root canals. You may need this treatment if the pulp has become inflamed or infected.
The tooth pulp is in the center of the tooth, in the pulp chamber, and its tissues extend into the root canals in the tooth roots. It is a collection of tissues, including nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels, and is necessary during tooth development. An adult tooth can survive perfectly well without the pulp, but it is considered non-vital.
During treatment, the tooth pulp is removed, the root canals are cleaned and shaped using special files, and the tooth is disinfected before it is permanently sealed and restored. Usually, a dental crown is fitted over a tooth following root canal therapy.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Symptoms of tooth infection or inflammation can include:
- Severe toothache that may be continual or only present when you bite down.
- Tooth sensitivity to temperature changes in foods and beverages.
- Swollen, tender gum around the infected tooth.
- Tooth discoloration, so it could start to look darker than before.
- A pimple on the gum nearest the tooth, which can indicate pus buildup.
- Pain radiating from your jaw into your face or affecting nearby teeth.
Root canal treatment may also be necessary if you experience a blow to the mouth, resulting in inflammation and swelling of the dental pulp, or have a cracked tooth that allows harmful bacteria to penetrate it, leading to infection.
What Can Cause Pulp Damage or Infection?
Usually, the cause of infection is damage to tooth enamel, whether it is a crack or a cavity. The damage allows bacteria found in dental plaque to penetrate the tooth, eventually reaching the tooth pulp and causing infection and pain.
Typical causes include:
- A deep, untreated cavity or a filling that has failed.
- Repeated dental treatments on the same tooth that has inflamed the tooth pulp.
- Cracks or chips in a tooth.
- Gum disease that has spread to the tooth roots.
If you recognize any of the symptoms or suspect something is wrong with a tooth, we strongly recommend seeing a dentist as soon as possible. The sooner we can treat a tooth, the more likely it is that we can save it.
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
Root canal treatment can provide numerous benefits, including:
- Quickly relieving pain and discomfort.
- Preventing infection from spreading.
- Restoring the ability to bite and chew comfortably.
- Protecting nearby teeth and your jawbone.
Perhaps the most important benefit is that root canal treatment can save the tooth from extraction.
Otherwise, the only treatment to eliminate any infection or inflammation is to remove it, a measure we only suggest as a last resort. Whenever possible, we strive to preserve natural teeth.
The Root Canal Procedure Step by Step
Step One: Consultation & Diagnostics
When you visit NYC Dentistry Center, a root canal specialist will carefully examine your tooth, ask about your symptoms, and take digital dental X-rays of the tooth. Other tests may include placing something cold on the tooth to assess if the nerve has died.
The X-rays are necessary because they will show us how badly the tooth is infected and if the infection has affected the surrounding tissues. These images also show the shape and number of root canals that require cleaning, reshaping, and disinfection during your treatment.
Step Two: Root Canal Procedure
Before we begin, a local anaesthetic ensures you feel completely comfortable and will not experience any pain during your treatment. A rubber dam is placed over the tooth, isolating it and ensuring it remains dry during your treatment.
A small opening is made in your tooth so we can see the pulp and begin removing all the tissues in the pulp and root canals. We will almost certainly use microscopic dentistry when cleaning the tooth and reshaping the root canals to ensure all infected tissue is removed.
Once all the tissue is removed and the root canals are filed and shaped, the tooth is disinfected. We may place topical antibiotics into the tooth if the infection is severe, and seal it with a temporary filling material. This is to ensure it is infection-free before it is permanently sealed with gutta-percha.
Step Three: Tooth Restoration
A root-treated tooth is typically restored with a dental crown that completely covers it, as it will have likely lost a substantial portion of its original structure due to decay or trauma.
A digital impression is taken of your tooth. It will be used to create your new crown in our dental lab, a process that can take up to two weeks. In the meantime, we protect the tooth with a temporary crown.
Alternatively, we may be able to make your permanent crown on the same day using CAD/CAM technology and our on-site milling machine. This technology creates beautiful, high-quality, precision-made porcelain crowns, eliminating the need for a temporary crown and a second visit.
What to Expect after Root Canal Therapy
After receiving root canal treatment, it’s perfectly normal for your tooth to feel slightly more sensitive for the first few days. As the tooth settles, it should feel much more comfortable quickly.
If your tooth continues to hurt or any discomfort worsens, please contact us for immediate help and advice.
Long-Term Aftercare
Once your tooth is fully restored, you will be able to bite and chew normally without pain, but proper care will help prolong its life.
Ensure you follow a good daily oral hygiene routine and visit us regularly for dental exams and hygiene appointments, so we can professionally clean your teeth and check their condition.
Risks & Considerations
Root canal therapy has a very high success rate, but there is always a small chance that complications may arise.
In a small percentage of cases, a tooth can become reinfected, especially if the root canals were not cleaned thoroughly originally. This is partly why we use microscopic dentistry to help reduce this risk as much as possible.
A tooth that becomes reinfected may require further root canal treatment, but we would assess it carefully to ensure there is a reasonable chance of long-term success.
If we believe the chances of successful root canal retreatment are limited, we may suggest removing the tooth and considering an alternative form of restoration, such as a dental bridge or implant.
FAQs
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How Long Will Root Canal Treatment Take?
A root canal can take an hour or longer to complete, depending on the complexity of the treatment and the number of root canals that must be cleaned.
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Is a Root Canal Painful?
A root canal should be no more uncomfortable than a filling. We can assure you that your tooth will be completely numb during treatment. Additionally, it can provide quick relief from a painful tooth infection.
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Will Dental Insurance Cover the Cost?
Almost certainly, it is an essential treatment, but you will likely need to pay part of the restoration cost, depending on the type of crown chosen and your dental coverage limits.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th Street, 8th Floor, Suite 2
New York, NY 10017
(212) 810-9264