Root canal treatment is also known as endodontic treatment or simply a “root canal”. It is performed in order to save a tooth that has become infected through an open filling, deep decay, or trauma. When the inside of the tooth becomes infected, this is known as pulpitis. The aim of root canal therapy is to remove all traces of infection and nerve tissue to restore the tooth. Without treatment, a pulp infection can cause the affected tooth to be unrestorable and can even spread to the surrounding teeth.
Did You Know?
The inside of your tooth, known as the pulp, is made up of blood vessels, connective tissues, and the tooth’s nerve. When the pulp becomes infected, this irritates the tooth nerve and causes pain.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need root canal treatment?
You will need root canal treatment if you have a pulp infection inside your tooth. While a pulp infection can only be diagnosed by a dentist, some symptoms of a pulp infection include:
- tooth pain
- pain when biting, chewing, or applying pressure
- sensitivity to temperature changes in your mouth
- a single discolored tooth
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, then it is recommended to schedule an appointment with our Flushing, Queen dentist at New York Dental Solutions as soon as possible.
What can I expect when receiving root canal treatment at New York Dental Solutions?
When having root canal treatment at New York Dental Solutions, you can expect that local anesthetics will be used to keep you comfortable during your procedure. Once your mouth is numb, our dentist will start by drilling a small hole in the top or side of the affected tooth. Then a series of root canal files will be placed through this hole to remove the tooth’s pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals. Next, the inside of the tooth will be flushed with an antimicrobial solution to prevent future infection.
Afterwards, the tooth will then be restored by first filling it with a rubber-like material known as gutta percha. The access hole will then be filled with composite resin and a temporary crown will be placed. Once the tooth has healed, a permanent crown will be needed in order to cover over the entire tooth.
What can I expect after having root canal treatment?
After root canal treatment, it is normal to experience some soreness in the treated tooth. This is because the inflammation caused by the infection takes a couple of days to resolve itself. Over the counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may also be recommended in order to manage this pain. Our dentist will also have you schedule another appointment to be fitted for a permanent dental crown once your tooth has healed.
In the meantime, you will temporarily need to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth in order to prevent the temporary crown from being damaged or dislodged. Once your permanent crown is placed, you can resume your normal routine. You will need to care for your crown by brushing and flossing daily, and scheduling regular dental exams. For the first few days after your new crown is placed, you may experience some minor tooth sensitivity and/or soreness in the gums. This will fade once your mouth has adapted to the new restoration.