What Is a Root Canal?
The term “root canal” is actually an anatomical one, describing the hollow space within the root of each tooth. It is long and narrow, so we call it a canal. However, most people use this term to describe the dental procedure, root canal therapy, or RCT. This is one of the most common procedures performed by endodontists.
Root canal therapy involves the removal of the pulp tissue from the hollow chamber inside the tooth, cleaning the interior surface of the root, and filling it with an inert material that does not cause any reaction or rejection by the body. The procedure replaces infected dental pulp with biocompatible materials, allowing you to keep your natural tooth and restore normal function. Because of wide variations in root anatomy, root canals can be very simple or very complex. Some roots have canals that twist, turn, and branch off, making the root canal treatment quite complicated.
Why Do Teeth Need Root Canal Treatments?
The dental pulp within a tooth has a limited ability to heal itself and repair damage. Injuries to this delicate tissue in the form of bacterial invasion from a deep cavity or cracks, or trauma to the tooth, can irreversibly damage the pulp tissue. This irreversible inflammation often causes severe pain, so many people who need root canals know that they need dental treatment. When infected tissues surrounding the tooth root become inflamed, it can affect your jaw and overall oral health.
According to a long-term study published in Clinical Oral Investigations, root canal therapy demonstrates high success and survival rates spanning decades when performed properly. The tricky thing about teeth needing root canals is that they do not all hurt. In some cases, the nerve inside the tooth that sends pain signals to the brain simply dies. A dead nerve cannot send any signals, so the tooth may become painless despite being diseased.
Dead tissue in the body always attracts bacteria and will develop serious infections over time. Sometimes antibiotics are prescribed temporarily, but removal of the infected pulp through endodontic treatment is the definitive solution. The dead pulp tissue should be removed with a root canal treatment as soon as it is discovered.
Advanced Training and Technologies in New City Endodontics
Our endodontists utilize advanced technologies and techniques that make procedures more effective and pain-free. Through their extensive advanced training beyond dental school, they have mastered common procedures as well as complex cases that require additional care and attention. Modern endodontic treatments are virtually painless thanks to these advanced technologies and refined techniques.
What Other Procedures Can Our New City Endodontist Perform?
Aside from providing high-quality root canal therapy, our endodontic team in New City has training in several other areas, including specific procedures that go beyond what your regular dentist can offer.
Diagnosis of Complex Tooth Pain
Many other conditions disguise themselves as toothaches, and not every tooth with severe pain needs a root canal. Your endodontist performs detailed diagnostic tests on multiple teeth when someone experiences tooth pain that may originate from the jaw. If the pain is not coming from a problem within the tooth, then a root canal will not fix the problem. Our endodontists help determine the source of a toothache so the correct treatment takes place.
Retreatment of Failed Root Canals
A failed root canal may become reinfected at any point in the future. There are many different reasons for the failure of a root canal. An endodontist determines whether an endodontic retreatment of the root canal will have a successful long-term prognosis. Root canal retreatments are procedures that remove the existing root canal filling, clean the interior surface of the canals, treat any bacterial infection present, and refill the canals to repair and restore function to the tooth.
Surgery of Tooth Roots
In some cases, the infection within a tooth root does not respond to root canal treatment, which approaches the infection from the inside of the tooth. An endodontist in New City can also approach a tooth root from the outside, by accessing the end of the root surgically through endodontic surgery. This may include a root end resection (apicoectomy), where the infected tip is removed and sealed.
Treatment of Resorption
Resorption is an unusual phenomenon in which the cells either on the outside or inside of the root malfunction and begin to dissolve the hard tooth structure. Both cause large defects in the tooth. An endodontist in New City, New York, works to remove these malfunctioning cells, stop the resorption process, repair the damaged area with fibrous tissue or other materials, and restore the tooth in hopes of saving it. Resorption is difficult to treat and should always involve an endodontist.
Management of Developing Tooth Roots
In young children, the teeth appear in the mouth before the roots have completely formed. If these young teeth sustain injuries, it can cause the growth of the root to stop. Endodontists use advanced materials and techniques to stimulate growth and development of these immature roots so the teeth will be strong enough to last the child’s lifetime. This helps preserve the natural tooth structure and prevents the need for crowns or other restorations later.
Contact Rockland Dental Specialists for Endodontics in New City, NY
Rockland Dental Specialists offers endodontic care in the New City, NY area. Endodontists Dr. Lisa Nava Cohen, Dr. Rachel Snyder, and Dr. George Ilenikhena, along with board-certified periodontist and implantologist Dr. Shalom Mintz, are here to bring you excellent oral care with more than two decades of combined experience. They are passionate about helping patients preserve their natural teeth and maintain their overall oral health.
Contact us today to speak with one of our team members about the New City endodontic services we offer, or book an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Endodontics in New City
Who Is Capable of Performing an Endodontic Treatment?
Although a general dentist can perform a root canal, an endodontist is preferred as they have completed two or more years of advanced training beyond dental school. Endodontists focus on complex procedures that regular dentists may not be equipped to handle.
How Long Is the Root Canal Procedure?
A root canal typically takes one to one and a half hours. Each case varies as our endodontist gives individualized attention and care to each patient. Most patients find the procedure painless with modern techniques.
How Do I Know if I Need a Root Canal?
A root canal needs to be diagnosed by a dentist. Some signs include hot and cold sensitivity, swelling, infection, and pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your general dentist for an evaluation and diagnosis. Early treatment can prevent severe pain and save your natural tooth.