ROOT CANAL THERAPY

If a tooth is affected by decay or infection, the decay can reach the nerve of the tooth which results in a need for root canal therapy. Root canal therapy can save the tooth, the living tissue inside the tooth (often called the pulp), nerves, bacteria, and any other decay is removed. The space that is left after the decay is removed is then filled with special dental material, restoring the tooth to its full function. While a root canal is a treatment the patient can choose to undergo, it is the only treatment used to save a tooth rather than having it removed. Having the affected tooth extracted, rather than undergoing root canal therapy, is ultimately more costly and may cause significant issues for the adjacent teeth. However, root canal treatment is a simple treatment which is very successful and lasts a lifetime.

Signs and symptoms for possible root canal therapy:

A heightened sensitivity to hot and cold Swelling and tenderness Severe toothache and jaw ache pain An abscess on the gum In some occasions, no symptoms are present Reasons for root canal therapy Decay has reached the nerve of the tooth An infection or abscess has developed inside the tooth An infection or abscess has developed at the tip of the tooth root Injury and/or trauma has affected the tooth

What does root canal therapy involve?

When undergoing a root canal procedure, you may need one or more appointments to complete the process. During the procedure, the tooth is numbed and a rubber dam is placed around the tooth, in order to keep the area dry. An experienced endodontist will create an access opening on the top of the affected tooth, and placed a series of root canal files into the opening. These root canal files are used in order to remove the pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria, and special dental instruments are used to remove any tooth decay that may be present. Your endodontist will then seal the cleaned tooth with a permanent filling, or a temporary filling if you need more than one appointment to complete the procedure. If the temporary filling is placed, the next appointment will involve the roots and inside cavity of the tooth being sealed with special dental materials. Towards the end of the procedure, a filling will be placed on top of the tooth to cover the opening made prior. The affected teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy have a crown placed on them after the initial procedure is complete.

The crown that is placed on top of the affected teeth will protect the tooth and prevent any other damage from affecting it. In the days following the root canal therapy procedure, the tooth may have some mild sensitivity, which will disappear as the tooth heals. Your endodontist at Advanced Dental – Scarsdale will give you care instructions following the procedure, which should be followed closely to maintain your oral hygeine.

Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?

The root canal therapy procedure, called an endodontic procedure, relieves the toothaches that come with decay in the tooth or infection in the gums. Because of the advanced technology used at Advanced Dental – Scarsdale, the procedure is pain free and entirely comfortable for the patient. However, there may be some mild sensitivity in the affected area in the days following the procedure. Fortunately, this sensitivity may be treated with over-the-counter pain medication. When undergoing the root canal therapy procedure, it is essential to follow your endodontist’s instructions closely, in order to avoid any additional visits to the dentist.

If you experience any severe pain in the affected area in the days following the procedure, call our office, Advanced Dental – Scarsdale, immediately to schedule an appointment.

What are the alternatives to endodontic surgery?

In most cases, the only possible alternative to root canal therapy is to simply extract the tooth. However, this extraction must also be followed by an implant, bridge, or removable partial denture. The partial denture is placed in the space of the extracted tooth in order to prevent any of the adjacent teeth from shifting into the empty space. Because an extraction of the tooth calls for an implant to be placed in the empty space, it is found that an extraction is a much more costly procedure. A root canal therapy procedure is the most cost-effective and efficient way to maintain your healthy teeth.

To schedule an appointment with Endodontist please contact Advanced Dental Scarsdale Department of Endodontics:
Call Us : (914) 874-5757 130 Garth Road Scarsdale, NY 10583