Root Canals

What are root canals?

Root canals are an endodontic procedure used to treat damaged or infected tooth pulp. Pulp contains blood vessels and connective tissue. It helps your permanent teeth grow and provides temperature sensations but isn’t necessary for a tooth’s long-term survival. By removing the pulp, it’s possible to preserve your smile and prevent an extraction.

When are root canals needed?

At Brooklyn City Dental, the team uses root canals to treat injured or inflamed tooth pulp. Some of the leading causes of pulp damage include:

• Severe decay caused by an untreated cavity
• Chips, cracks, or other tooth damage
• Oral trauma, like getting hit in the mouth
• Having a tooth that needs multiple dental procedures

When pulp damage occurs, common side-effects include swelling, redness, and a sensation of heat in your gums. If you experience these or other similar symptoms, don’t wait to seek professional dental help.

How are root canals performed?

At Brooklyn City Dental, the team performs root canals on-site during a quick, outpatient procedure. Several steps are involved, including:

Step 1

Before starting your root canal, the team administers a local anesthetic to numb your gums and tooth roots. 

Step 2

Once the anesthesia sets in, they access the center of your affected tooth and carefully remove the infected or inflamed pulp. Then, they rinse out the center of your tooth with an antiseptic solution, cleaning out any food particles, plaque, or harmful bacteria. 

Step 3

After cleaning out the center of your tooth, the team fills it with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. When the gutta-percha dries, they take impressions of your tooth and send them to a dental laboratory that manufactures a custom crown. Lastly, the team applies a temporary crown and provides you with a list of recovery instructions.

Step 4

About a week later, you return to Brooklyn City Dental. The team removes your temporary crown and assesses your tooth. If everything looks good, they line up your new permanent crown and bond it in place. 

What’s recovery like following a root canal?

Following your root canal, it’s normal to experience some mild discomfort and increased sensitivity after the anesthesia wears off. To relieve these symptoms, take over-the-counter pain medication or apply a bag of ice to your cheek. 

You can return to work and other normal activities within a day of the procedure, but avoid biting down on your treated tooth until you receive a permanent crown.

To learn more about root canals, request an appointment at Brooklyn City Dental. Call the nearest office to speak with a member of the administrative team or book online.