One of the benefits of visiting a top-rated endodontics practice is having lots of options when it comes to your root canal treatment. For instance, at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC, our team offers both traditional root canal procedures as well as holistic root canal therapy, offering patients the most advanced options to help them maintain their beautiful smiles.
Not sure what holistic root canal therapy is or when it’s used? This post answers all your questions.
In order to understand how holistic root canal therapy is unique, it’s important to understand some root canal basics, beginning with why root canal treatment is performed. No matter which technique is used — traditional or holistic — the purpose is the same: to remove the damaged central pulp portion of the tooth so the natural tooth can be saved.
Most of us think of our teeth as the hard enamel shell that we can see. But teeth are much more complex, composed of several layers. The innermost layer is the pulp portion, where blood vessels and nerves are found. These nerves and blood vessels extend from the center part of the tooth down to the underlying bone via a series of narrow canals.
While decay or trauma in the outer layers of your teeth can usually be managed with a filling, damage to the pulp portion requires other techniques — specifically, the techniques used in root canal therapy. In fact, root canal therapy was developed specifically to treat deep damage, avoiding the need for tooth extraction and the complications it can involve.
In a traditional root canal, once the damaged pulp is removed, the canals are cleaned, sealed, and filled. In most cases, the tooth is covered with a crown for an added layer of protection.
While holistic root canal therapy is performed using the same basic approach as a traditional treatment, the techniques and materials used differ. Specifically, our team uses materials that are biocompatible, meaning they won’t cause reactions when they come into contact with other tissues. This makes holistic treatment a good choice for people with certain allergies or sensitivities.
For example, a traditional root canal uses a material called gutta-percha to fill the cleaned and sealed canals. Gutta-percha is a rubber-like material similar to latex, which means it’s not a good option for people with latex allergies. In holistic treatment, we use alternative materials to fill the cleaned and sealed canals, eliminating the risk of allergic reactions.
In addition, during holistic treatment, we may opt to use ozone therapy or laser technology to disinfect the canals instead of chemical-based products. These techniques are very effective in destroying bacteria and other germs without exposure to chemical substances that could trigger allergic reactions.
Our team is dedicated to offering patients the most advanced treatments tailored to each individual’s unique needs and preferences. If you’d like to learn more about holistic therapies and how they can play a role in your oral health, call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City today.
