Cosmetic & General Dentistry located in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY
A root canal may sound much scarier than it actually is, but for most people, it’s a relatively easy procedure that saves an infected tooth. At DNTL, highly skilled dentists Dmitriy Kuznetsov, DDS, and Semyon Tilis, DDS, perform root canals for patients of all ages in the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn, New York, and the surrounding communities. A root canal can relieve dental pain and save your natural tooth so you can potentially avoid more extensive dental work in the future. Call the friendly team at DNTL today, or use the online booking feature.
- 347-487-4888
- Book Online
Root Canals Q & A
What is a root canal?
A root canal is an endodontic treatment in which your dentist removes infected pulp from inside a tooth to relieve pain and preserve the tooth. Once your DNTL dentist removes the infected material, he disinfects the tooth, then fills it and seals it to prevent further tooth decay.
When would I need a root canal?
You may need a root canal if you get a large cavity in your tooth that leads to deep decay. Additionally, trauma to your tooth could lead to damage that causes the pulp and nerves of a tooth to become inflamed or infected. If you don’t treat a decayed tooth, the infection can worsen and cause an abscess at the end of the tooth’s root.
What are the symptoms of an infected tooth?
People often think a root canal leads to pain, but it’s quite the opposite. A root canal provides relief from the symptoms of an infected tooth, including:
- Painful chewing
- Jaw pain or swelling
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
- Swelling around the tooth in your gum tissue
- A discolored tooth
- A severe toothache
In some cases, you may not have any symptoms, but many people feel the pain of an infection within a tooth. A root canal alleviates the pain, as the source of your discomfort, the infected pulp, is removed.
How painful is a root canal procedure?
Many people report that a root canal is less painful than the symptoms of dealing with an infected tooth. Your dentist at DNTL makes your comfort a top priority and uses a local anesthetic, if necessary. You might feel pressure during the root canal procedure, but otherwise, you shouldn’t feel any pain.
If you feel pain or discomfort immediately following a root canal, you can usually take over-the-counter pain medication. You may also need to take an antibiotic to ensure that any infection from your decayed tooth is completely out of your system.
If you have a toothache that isn’t getting better or tooth pain that spreads into your jaw and neck, it’s best to seek treatment before the infection causes further damage or complications. To get relief from tooth pain, or to schedule a consultation for a root canal, call the DNTL office today, or book online.