Root canal therapy is a dental procedure that removes infected or damaged nerve and pulp tissue from within a tooth, followed by cleaning, disinfection, and sealing to restore it to full functionality. After the root canal treatment is complete, restoration typically includes dental filling or crown.
Persistent sensitivity to hot and cold foods, swelling near an affected tooth, or an unexplained pimple-like bump on the gum may signal an infection of one of your teeth that requires root canal treatment immediately to save both and prevent complications.
What is a root canal?
Root canal therapy is performed to save infected or damaged teeth. A soft tissue called pulp lies inside each tooth, housing blood vessels and nerves, which, when inflamed or infected, causes pressure within its rigid chamber surrounding it – causing sharp, throbbing pain that manifests as toothaches. A root canal removes infection inside your tooth before curing it before sealing it off to protect against further damage.
Root canal procedures begin by administering a local anesthetic to numb the area being worked on in your mouth, after which a dental dam is placed over an infected tooth to keep saliva and other debris away from its affected area while being treated by your dentist. Next, they’ll extract infected portions from within your inner tooth before replacing them with synthetic filling material or crowns if required to safeguard it against further decay or injury.
Once a root canal procedure has been completed, your tooth may feel sensitive for several days post-treatment; however, this is normal and can be controlled using over-the-counter pain relievers. However, infection and inflammation may lead to persistent discomfort; in such instances, you must visit your dentist for advice as soon as possible.
Preventing infection is best, but sometimes accidents happen. If you experience severe toothache or signs of infection, call our office immediately – our team can quickly provide timely care to eliminate the disease and alleviate discomfort.
Root canals should be avoided wherever possible by regularly brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist on schedule. We understand accidents do happen, though, which is why Glen J. Graffeo DDS offers emergency root canal services nearby. Our skilled dentists will remove the infected portion of your tooth and clean and disinfect it before sealing it to protect it from further damage. For more information, please get in touch with our office now!
How is a root canal performed?
Root canals remove infected tissue to alleviate infection and pain before cleaning, sterilizing, and sealing the inner tooth. They may also repair underlining structures to avoid future issues like a fractured tooth or leakage into or around it. Although root canals have earned an unfavorable reputation due to stigmatism or outdated dental technology, modern dentistry techniques offer painless root canal procedures.
Root canal therapy is a standard dental procedure performed by endodontists to remove infected parts of your inner tooth and shape, fill, and seal it back into shape to restore strength and promote healing. While full recovery may take several weeks, you should experience solid and functional teeth afterward.
Before performing a root canal procedure, your dentist will conduct an X-ray to assess the extent of any damage or infection in your tooth and surrounding tissues. Next, local anesthesia will be administered to numb them; depending on your level of anxiety, additional sedation might also be provided to keep you comfortable during this process.
Your dentist will use a drill to create an access hole in your tooth to reach damaged tissue, then use a rubber compound to seal off access points to avoid reinfection and place fillings or crowns over your remaining tooth portion for added protection from breaking.
The final step in installing your crown is cementing it securely, either permanently or temporarily, until your dentist can create a permanent one. Either way, good oral hygiene practices must continue along with regular visits to avoid future complications.
Root canal treatments boast a high success rate, and their results can last a lifetime. Although a treated tooth will appear and feel natural, you can help increase its lifespan by practicing good oral hygiene, limiting sugary food and beverage intake, and scheduling regular checkups with an oral health provider.
What is the cost of a root canal?
Cost factors affecting root canal treatment vary significantly, with size and location of tooth being two key elements; infection level and dentist expertise being others that should be considered. Molar root canals tend to cost more due to being more time-consuming than front tooth ones.
Depending on your plan and coverage options, your dental insurance may cover root canal costs. Always consult with your provider before scheduling any procedure to see what benefits they offer you.
If your dental insurance does not cover root canal costs, purchasing a dental discount card such as DentalSave can help reduce out-of-pocket expenses by offering discounts at participating dentists for treatment – such as those offering root canals – without filing claims or going through any administrative hurdles. These plans typically provide savings for treatments for far less than dental insurance premiums would cost.
Root canal treatments typically cost about $900 on average; the exact price will depend on which tooth(s) need treatment – for instance, front teeth tend to be cheaper as they’re easier to reach than molars.
Root canal therapy is an essential treatment option for infected teeth. Left untreated, an infection could develop into serious issues such as dental abscess or tooth loss; root canal treatments provide vital relief and save teeth that would otherwise need extraction by saving their lives with dental implants or other solutions that replace missing ones.
Once the root canal procedure is finished, a dental crown may be necessary to protect your tooth against further damage or infections. Your dentist should install it right after your root canal procedure – offering options to meet cosmetic and financial preferences.
Call your dentist immediately to arrange root canal treatment if you have an urgent dental condition. In most cases, appointments will be available the same day; you will also likely be provided with a treatment plan and cost breakdown before beginning. Many dentists also offer flexible payment plans as an affordable alternative if you do not have dental insurance or prefer not to use your health savings account (HSA) for such treatments.
How do I know if I need a root canal?
Root canal therapy is one of the most frequently performed dental treatments, yet many patients may be unaware they need one until it’s too late. Root canal treatment can remove infections and alleviate pain in a tooth, making it possible to bite down and chew normally again.
Each tooth contains blood vessels and nerves housed within soft tissue called pulp. Located beneath white enamel and complex dentin layers on top, the pulp supports tooth development during development and ensures the healthy development of new teeth. If this soft tissue becomes infected, it may lead to severe pain and complications, including pus-filled pockets (abscesses) forming, which may require medical intervention or lead to its eventual removal and eventual tooth loss if left untreated.
Root canal treatment involves cleaning and disinfecting infected pulp tissue inside your tooth using local anesthesia and additional sedation, as an endodontist requires. Once numbing has taken effect, they’ll drill a hole through your top tooth’s enamel surface to access and extract any infected pulp tissue, after which they’ll seal off their work with gutta-percha sealant material – protecting future infections by sealing against future germs or debris build-ups.
To determine whether or not you require a root canal, the easiest way is to visit your dentist for an exam. However, signs such as persistent biting/pressure pain, prolonged temperature sensitivity issues, dark discolorations of teeth, and swelling gums could also indicate this need for care. If any of these are occurring for you, don’t hesitate to call BH Dental NY and make an appointment immediately!
