Root Canal Treatment Specialist

Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC

New York/NYC

There are two parts to a tooth: the crown and the roots, which anchor the tooth to the bone. When the nerve inside the tooth becomes unhealthy because of decay or other stresses, the result can be a toothache, infection with swelling, and sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure. Any of these signs could indicate the presence of a dangerous infection. If you need a root canal treatment to save your tooth, visit Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in Midtown Manhattan New York City. The expert team is specially trained at performing advanced root canals and getting you — and your tooth — fully treated.

Root Canal Treatment Q & A

Why would I need a root canal treatment?

If you have a deep infection or inflammation that impacts the pulp — the soft tissue inside your tooth’s root canal — you might need a root canal treatment. This severe type of infection can occur if you have deep decay, a broken or chipped tooth, or if your tooth has already been through several dental procedures.

Trauma might also cause pulp damage, even if your tooth appears to be healthy and intact. If you don’t have the infection or inflammation treated with a root canal, you risk having an abscess and could ultimately lose the tooth.

What symptoms suggest I need a root canal?

The most common complaint is severe tooth pain when you bite or chew. But you might have other symptoms as well, including:

  • Facial swelling
  • Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
  • Darkening of the tooth
  • Swollen gums
  • Tender or bleeding gums
  • Recurring pimple on the gums near the tooth
  • Persistent bad breath

In some cases, patients don’t have any symptoms and the infection or inflammation is detected during a routine exam. Because dental issues can linger well below your gumline, it’s essential to have routine dental exams and cleanings two times per year, or as recommended by Dr. Kaplan.

What does a root canal involve?

One of the doctors at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC will begin by making an opening in the tooth, removing the nerve and the surrounding tissue, and shaping the canals. During this procedure, they rinse the tooth with different solutions to destroy any lingering bacteria. If the treatment isn’t done in one visit, the tooth is then filled with a temporary filling. Medication is placed inside the tooth that works between visits, and then the temporary filling is placed on top.

During the second step, they flush the root surface with a new irrigant designed to remove small crystals. This also disinfects the canal space and walls of your tooth. The new irrigant destroys a different class of bacteria than the first one. The doctor will also use ultrasonic energy to help the solutions penetrate into your tooth, so the entire area is disinfected. Usually the root canal is completed during this second visit, unless the tooth is still infected.

After the root canal is finished, you’ll then be referred back to your general dentist for the appropriate restoration. Sometimes a simple filling is adequate, but sometimes a crown is needed. Ultimately, this tooth will function just like all of your other teeth, so you won’t even know it’s there.

After your root canal, the staff at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC will call you to make sure that you’re doing well, and to answer any post-procedure questions. They also offer free periodic follow-up visits for up to two years, to make sure that there’s no infection or any other problems.

Are there benefits of getting a root canal over just having the tooth pulled?

Losing a tooth should always be the absolute last resort. When you have a tooth extracted other teeth may shift, causing your bite to get misaligned. Plus, you risk losing bone tissue, which can put other teeth at risk as you age.

By having a root canal and preserving the tooth, you’re more likely to have efficient and painless chewing. Preserving your tooth also keeps your smile looking natural, allows for normal speech, protects surrounding teeth from excessive wear and tear, and allows for normal biting pressure.

Can I get a dental implant instead of a root canal?

Today, dentists have the ability to replace extracted teeth with titanium screws surgically drilled into the jawbone, replacing the natural tooth root. In some cases, this would be the treatment of choice, but the staff at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC believes that the best implant is your natural tooth. That’s why they make every effort to save your tooth.

How many appointments will I need?

Today, many endodontists perform root canals in only one visit, regardless of the situation’s complexity. The staff at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC can do that if your tooth is amenable to that, but that’s not his standard for success. In fact, a good dentist cares more about the treatment than the time, while a mediocre dentist cares more about the time than the treatment. The doctors at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC never rushes a root canal: They believe that the quality of their work must be perfect, no matter how long it takes to ensure that your tooth lasts a lifetime.