Root Canal

Tooth pain or discoloration could indicate the need for a root canal. At New York Dental Health in the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan and the Morris Heights, Fordham Heights, Mount Hope, Mott Haven, and Morrisania neighborhoods in the Bronx, New York City, the skilled dental team offers this service to patients of all ages to restore decaying or damaged teeth, saving them from worsening pain or tooth loss. Schedule a dental evaluation by calling the nearest office or booking one online today to determine if you need a root canal. 

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a restorative dental procedure that repairs the inside of your tooth, or its pulp, after decay or other damage. The goal of a root canal is to save a painful or problematic tooth from falling out or requiring tooth extraction. Root canals are highly effective, painless procedures that can improve your oral health and quality of life.

What are the signs I might need a root canal?

Signs of potentially needing a root canal include:

• Tooth pain
• Swollen gums
• Pain with chewing
• Pus along the gum line
• Swollen jaw
• Loose tooth
• Tooth discoloration
• Tooth crack
• Damaged tooth

Dental experts complete about 15 million root canals in the United States annually. See the New York Dental Health experts at the first sign of new or unusual symptoms. 

What happens during a root canal?

Before your root canal, the New York Dental Health team offers a sedative to help you relax. They also numb the treatment area to ensure the procedure feels comfortable. They create a tiny hole in your tooth’s crown to gain access to the pulp inside. 

Using tiny dental instruments, your dentist removes diseased tissues from your inner tooth, disinfects the pulp chamber and root canals, and fills the empty spaces with sturdy dental materials before sealing the tooth closed with a temporary dental filling.

The final step of getting a root canal is receiving a dental crown on the treated tooth to protect the area and restore your bite. You might receive a temporary crown until a lab creates a custom-made, permanent crown.

What should I expect after a root canal?

The treated area might be temporarily tender after you undergo a root canal, but there’s no significant downtime needed. It’s important to reduce the risk of future problems by brushing your teeth after meals, flossing daily, not chewing on hard objects, and having your teeth professionally cleaned at least every six months. Call the New York Dental Health office at any time with questions.

Schedule a dental exam at New York Dental Health by phone or request one online today if you suspect you might need a root canal.