With Long Island Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry’s state-of-the-art techniques such as laser and sedation dentistry, a root canal is nothing more than a routine procedure that can be virtually painless.
If you hear from your dentist that you need a root canal, you may feel some anxiety. After all, the “dreaded” root canal represents outdated stereotypes about the most feared aspects of a trip to the dentist. But in our era of modern dentistry, and with a trusted team of cosmetic and general dentists like Dr. Elliot and Dr. Nick, the procedure needn’t cause you undue concern.
Root canal dentists Suffolk County, NY
When you know the facts about root canals, you can approach the procedure with confidence. A root canal allows the dentists at Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry to save your natural tooth, which is far better than the alternative when you consider the extent and cost of dental work you would have to undergo. The preservation of your own teeth is always a superior option where your health, appearance, and daily life are concerned.
Residents in Suffolk County trust Dr. Elliot and Dr. Nick to provide solutions for their dental problems, including root canal treatment.
What is a root canal?
The root canal is actually the term that designates the space inside the tooth where the soft tissue (the pulp, containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues) is located. Dentists use the term pulpectomy to refer to the treatment of a tooth whose pulp is damaged and needs to be removed.
The procedure entails the removal of the damaged tissue, the filling of the tooth with an alternative, rubber like substance, and the sealing or capping of the tooth with a filling or crown. While the soft tissue is necessary for the tooth during its developmental phase, the tooth can survive without the pulp once it is fully matured because it is supplied by the surrounding tissues.
Why root canals are indicated
Dentists perform a root canal when the soft tissue inside your tooth is infected, inflamed, or damaged in some way. If you experience pain or throbbing when you bite, or if your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold foods, these may be signs that a root canal is indicated.
A root canal effectively treats infection or inflammation resulting from:
- A cracked or broken tooth
- A tooth that has been injured in some other way
- A tooth with a damaged crown
- A tooth on which multiple dental procedures have already been performed
- An extensive or deep cavity
It is important to treat the inside of your tooth if it becomes diseased in order to manage pain, prevent the formation of an abscess, or treat an abscess if there is one present. Most teeth in these situations can be saved through a root canal. However, teeth whose supporting bone has been damaged extensively or mal-positioned teeth may need to be removed.
Alternative dental procedures to root canal
There is an alternative to a root canal, but it’s generally not a good one. If a root canal is not performed, a dentist may be forced to extract a tooth.
Some patients may initially prefer the idea of an extraction because they have heard that root canals can cause disease. Such concerns are based on outmoded theories about the procedure which suggest that it can introduce bacteria into the system. In fact, the procedure is designed to remove disease-causing bacteria and provides far less trauma and risk of bacterial exposure compared to extraction.
Whereas removing teeth is a treatment that will necessitate further, more expensive procedures, a root canal is a safe, relatively painless, and cost-effective way to preserve one’s own teeth.
Low root canal cost in Suffolk County, New York
Patients may be concerned about the cost of root canal. At Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer affordable services and reasonable payment plans. The cost of a root canal may vary based on the nature of the problem that you are being treated for, but we are happy to discuss these details in a free consultation before the procedure is performed.
A step-by-step look at the root canal procedure
When Dr. Nick or Dr. Elliot performs a root canal, they will use the following steps:
- The tooth is fully anesthetized. (Sedation may be employed depending on the preferences and condition of the patient.)
- A hole is created in the top of the tooth that reaches down through the hard exterior to the level of the pulp
- Laser technology is used to remove the pulp from the tooth
- The inside of the tooth is thoroughly disinfected
- The interior of the tooth is filled with a material that prevents further infection
- The tooth is filled or capped, depending on its condition, in order to seal it
While this description serves as a general overview of root canal treatment, Dr. Nick or Dr. Elliot will discuss any variations in the procedure that may be necessary beforehand and will be happy to answer questions about what to expect.
