A root canal is an important endodontic treatment that can save your natural tooth from extraction. If your tooth has undergone damage or if an infection has developed, your dentist may use a root canal. Root canal treatments are one of the general dentistry services Bella Smiles provides to our new and existing patients in Long Island, NY.
Tooth infections are often caused by poor oral hygiene habits. Modern advances in both techniques and materials have made the root canal procedure more comfortable and effective. Saving your natural tooth is better for your oral health.
Dr. Lotardo, Dr. Pop, and Dr. Caesar perform root canals at Bella Smiles in Riverhead, Nesconset, and Roslyn, NY. They often recommend this treatment to keep your natural tooth in place, maintaining the structure of your smile. Losing a tooth can create more complex dental problems. Replacing a tooth requires extensive treatment and is more expensive than root canal therapy.
Root Canals: What to Expect
Your dentist will complete the root canal treatment in a single visit to our local Bella Smiles dentist office. We promise to do all that we can to ensure your comfort during the procedure. Your dentist will inject local anesthetic and dental sedation if you need it.
When you are numb, the dentist will make a small hole in the back of the tooth. This will give them access to the inside of the tooth where the infection is. Then they will use an endodontic file to remove all the infected dental pulp. Once this part is complete, you will likely feel instant relief.
Once the tooth is clear of infection, your dentist will clean the inside of the tooth very well. They will then place a biocompatible material inside the tooth. Gutta percha is essentially a permanent filling for the root canal.
The final step is to seal the tooth with a dental filling. This will help protect the tooth from future decay. Your dentist will likely recommend a dental crown as well. This is to make the tooth stronger and protect it from future damage.
Root Canal FAQs
Is it better to get a tooth pulled or have a root canal?
This is on a case-by-case basis. For some circumstances, it may be better to have a tooth pulled than to have a root canal, but in general, a root canal has higher success rates. There are fewer ways that a root canal can become an issue after the procedure than when having a tooth pulled.
Is a root canal painful?
Root canals are commonly known to be a painful experience, however, technology has made root canals much easier and much more comfortable. Dentists use anesthesia or something to numb your tooth and the surrounding area so that there is less pain during the procedure.
Why do some root canals take multiple visits?
Most of the time root canals take two visits. Your dentist will remove the infection during the first appointment. At the second appointment, your dentist will clean the tooth and fill the root canal with gutta-percha. They will also begin the process to place a dental crown. This prevents complications after the operation.
What happens if you leave a tooth untreated that needs a root canal?
If you do not seek treatment for the infection in your tooth, it can spread to other parts of the mouth even your body. This can be serious and even deadly. It can lead to a dental abscess that requires immediate dental work.
Should I take antibiotics before a root canal?
Many dentists will recommend that patients take an antibiotic prior to a root canal procedure. You will take it 24 hours prior to your appointment.
Schedule a Dental Exam Today
Don’t let your tooth pain go undiagnosed. Bella Smiles offers a variety of dental procedures to help relieve your tooth pain including a root canal in all of our Long Island dentist office locations. Call our office today or schedule an appointment online.