What is a root canal treatment? Find more here

When you have a severe cavity that causes infection in the pulp inside the affected tooth, your dentist may recommend a root canal treatment. A root canal is done to preserve the natural tooth and prevent an extraction. Root canal treatments are also recommended in cases when a tooth is impacted because of an injury. If you are looking for root canals in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY, there are numerous reliable clinics. In this post, we are sharing more on the treatment and what you can expect from the procedure.

Know the procedure

A root canal is a type of endodontist procedure, although most dentists can offer the treatment. In some cases, a dentist may recommend the patient to see an endodontist. When the pulp inside the tooth is infected or damaged, the dentist will access the canal and remove the pulp containing blood vessels and connective tissues. While it may seem that the pulp is necessary for your tooth, it is not and can be safely removed. A root canal may be necessary when there is severe decay, evident chips and cracks, and other injury-related damage.

How is the root canal treatment done?

A root canal is generally done as an outpatient procedure, but you may have to come back for two or more appointments. Let the dentist know if you have heat sensitivity, redness, or inflammation in the affected tooth. The procedure starts with an oral exam, and if you agree to it, your dentist will give you a second appointment. A local anesthetic agent will be used before the procedure, and once that sets in, your dentist will work on the infected tooth to remove the pulp. The center of the tooth will be rinsed and cleaned to remove plaque, bacteria, and germs. The gap inside the tooth will be filled with a special material called the gutta-percha. Your dentist will then order a customized crown. You will have to come back after a week or two to get a permanent crown.

Does root canal procedure hurt?

No. There can be some discomfort after the effect of the anesthetic agent is gone, but there shouldn’t be intense pain. Your dentist will recommend using pain medications and may prescribe antibiotics to aid the healing process. Although there is no downtime to root canal treatment, you may want to take the day off.

Talk to a dentist today to find more on root canals. If you have evident symptoms, don’t delay in seeking treatment.