What Does a Holistic Root Canal Entail?

What Does a Holistic Root Canal Entail?

Every day in the United States, more than 40,000 root canals are performed, helping patients preserve their natural teeth and their smiles and confidence, too. A root canal uses special techniques to eliminate deep decay and infection, restoring the tooth and the way it functions.

Root canals have been proven time and again to be a safe, effective method for preventing tooth loss. But for people with allergies or sensitivities, the materials root canals use can sometimes pose a problem. That’s when holistic root canal treatment can help.

There are lots of reasons why Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC is a top-ranked endodontics practice in New York City — and one big reason is because our team is skilled in a variety of root canal techniques. That means every patient we treat receives custom care based on their unique needs. If you’ve been avoiding root canal treatment because of allergies or sensitivities, here’s how our team can help.

Root canals 101

Tooth decay that affects the enamel and dentin typically can be corrected with a filling. Not only does a filling restore the tooth, but it also provides strength that allows the tooth to continue to function.

But if decay goes deeper — into the central pulp portion where nerves and blood vessels are found — a filling isn’t going to work. That’s when you need a root canal.

Root canals use special techniques to remove decayed, infected tooth material in the center of the tooth and inside the narrow channels (or canals) that extend through the root. Once that material is removed, the interior of the tooth is filled with a material called gutta-percha. 

In badly infected teeth, we may first pack the tooth with a medicated filling to kill bacteria and help heal the tooth before applying gutta-percha. Finally, the tooth is covered with a crown for added durability.

How holistic root canals work

Traditional root canals are well tolerated by most patients. But there are some people who are sensitive — or even allergic — to the material used to treat or fill the tooth once the decayed part is removed. Holistic root canal treatment uses a special kind of filler that’s “more” biocompatible — and less likely to cause sensitivity problems. 

For infected teeth that require a medicated filling prior to their final restoration, we may suggest a filling material composed of calcium hydroxide, a natural material that kills bacteria and helps restore bone tissue. If the gutta-percha causes sensitivity reactions, there are biocompatible resin fillers that can be used to fill the tooth and restore strength and function.

We also offer laser root canal treatments. These procedures use the focused energy of a dental laser to remove decayed parts of the tooth. Laser root canals can be used as part of a “traditional” or holistic root canal treatment.

Your smile is our priority

Deeply decayed teeth should never be ignored. Not only can the pain be almost unbearable, but the bacteria they contain can quickly spread to your facial bones and even into your bloodstream, resulting in serious health problems. 

If you’ve been avoiding root canal therapy because of an allergy or sensitivity issue, a holistic root canal could be the solution you’ve been waiting for. To learn more, call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/ NYC today.

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