Dentist in Tarrytown, NY: What Is Root Canal Therapy and How Does It Work?
What do you know about root canal therapy from a dentist in Tarrytown, NY? You can read about some of its basic tenets here along with its various benefits.
If there's one dental procedure you're likely afraid of, it's a root canal. These procedures have a reputation for causing sheer agony, with more people afraid of them than common fears like spiders or public speaking.
However, the truth is that modern root canal therapy can be a great restorative treatment without causing pain. In fact, you can think of this therapy a large filling: it preserves your tooth with little to no discomfort.
Wondering when you might need this type of procedure and what to expect from it? Here are a few things worth knowing before you visit a dentist.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy, also simply called a "root canal," is a procedure that can help relieve a tooth infection or inflammation. Though most people think this procedure will cause pain, the goal is to relieve pain. Similar to routine cavity fillings, root canals are quick, relatively pain-free, and effective.
A root canal deals with the inner pulp, or the soft center, of your tooth. This pulp contains essential tissues, nerves, and blood vessels.
Sometimes, the pulp of your teeth can decay, or it can grow inflamed or infected. During this time, the outer crown of your teeth may continue to look normal.
In addition, injuries like chipping or cracking can damage the pulp of your teeth. In certain cases, the inner pulp of a tooth can be damaged from a blow even without a visible crack or chip.
Root canal therapy involves removing the infected, inflamed, or damaged pulp. Inside the resulting space, your dentist will place a dental filling. Once the procedure is complete, you will be able to use your tooth to bite, chew, and speak as usual.
When to Visit a Dentist
As we've stated above, it can sometimes be hard to tell at a glance that something is wrong with your tooth. In rare cases, you may not even know you need a root canal until you visit your dentist!
However, most patients realize that there's a problem when they start to feel pain in their mouth. Here are a few common signs that a root canal might be necessary:
- Tooth pain that grows worse over time
- Red, tender, or inflamed gums around one or more teeth
- Sudden sensitivity to heat or cold
- A swollen jaw
- Pimples or boils on your gums, with or without associated pain
- Pain when you bite or chew
- A loose, chipped, or cracked tooth
It's important to keep in mind that an infected or decaying tooth will only worsen over time. As a result, it's a good idea to make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible.
Look for Specific Experience
There are now over 1,197,000 professionals and over 191,400 practices in the US dental industry. As more dental professionals enter the industry, the likelihood you'll encounter an inexperienced dentist increases. Before scheduling a procedure for dental work, look into the dentist's professional history.
Try to find a Tarrytown, NY dentist with years of hands-on experience in the area.
Finding an experienced dentist can help you feel more confident in their abilities. Less experienced dentists are more likely to make mistakes. A dentist who has completed the procedure hundreds of times won't make the same errors.
Once you've determined how long they've practiced dentistry, consider how long they've owned their own practice. An established dental practice has worked out operational issues over time.
Otherwise, you might encounter scheduling or billing issues.
Next, determine how often each dentist performs dental fillings procedures. If it's not a procedure they perform often, keep searching. Someone with recent experience offering this form of dental work won't second guess themselves or make mistakes.
Root Canal Therapy Steps
If you've scheduled root canal therapy, you may be wondering what to expect.
Most of the time, your appointment will take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. For a more complex procedure, especially if the issue has spread to the adjoining teeth, you may need a longer appointment or multiple sessions.
Your dentist will begin by giving you a local anesthetic. This will numb the tooth and surrounding gums, but it won't put you to sleep.
Next, your dentist will create a small hole in the crown of your tooth. They will insert a special tool to remove the pulp of your teeth. This includes soft tissues, nerves, and blood vessels.
With the pulp removed, your dentist will clean out the lower root canals of your teeth. These are small pathways at the roots of your teeth. They will then disinfect the inside of your tooth.
To fill the space, your dentist will insert a special filling. Unlike normal fillings for cavities, this temporary filling is softer. Until your dentist can check for spreading infection in a follow-up appointment, they won't place anything permanent in your teeth.
A few days after this initial appointment, provided there are no signs of infection, your dentist will replace the soft filling with a permanent filling. If you prefer, they can also add a crown or additional cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Root Canal Therapy Recovery
Decades ago, root canals were painful procedures that would hurt both during and after the procedure. With modern medicine, these procedures are often pain-free, though you may feel some pinching, and recovery takes little time.
After the numbness wears off, around 2-4 hours after your procedure, you'll be able to eat and chew as usual. You will also be able to go to work or school on the same day.
The affected area may be a little tender afterward, but the discomfort often recedes within a few days. Your dentist will recommend over-the-counter pain medication.
If the pain doesn't go away, or if the area grows more painful or inflamed, it's important to reach out to your dentist. This may be a sign that the infection spread to other areas of your mouth before your dentist could contain it. It may also be a sign that the restoration has failed.
In terms of oral hygiene, you should care for a tooth that has undergone a root canal just like you would any other tooth. Regular brushing and flossing can protect the affected tooth and ensure that there are no further problems.
Treat Your Tooth Pain Today
If you're struggling with tooth damage, pain, or inflammation, you don't have to go through it alone. Infections and tooth decay can progress fast, so it's important to have an expert address the issue before it grows worse.
Because we know how difficult tooth pain can be, our team often offers same-day appointments to help with these dental emergencies. Our fast, safe, and effective procedures
can help you get rid of pain and sensitivity while preserving your natural tooth. To learn more, contact us with questions or
request an appointment today.
Dr. Rohit Z Patel
D.D.S
After graduating at the top of his class, Dr. Patel continued his postgraduate studies in endodontics at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York. He was appointed to assistant clinical professor of dentistry at Columbia University and later moved on to teach at the Montefiore Medical Center’s Department of Dentistry. Westchester Magazine recognized Dr. Patel as a “Top Dentist for 2012.”
Dr. Yung Kim
D.D.S
Dr. Yung Kim is a double board certified Periodontist and board certified Prosthodontist, educated to treat many extremely complex disorders involving gum disease, tooth decay, and oral pathology. His focus is on full-mouth, complex, surgical, and reconstructive dentistry. He has extensive knowledge of implant dentistry and advanced surgical procedures, specializing in teeth in a day and All-on-Four implants. He is also Invisalign certified and experienced with CAD/CAM restorations and dentures.
Dr. Brendan Gallagher
D.D.S
Dr. Brendan Gallagher is dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and reliable surgical care while keeping communication clear and timely with referring offices. He values building strong partnerships with colleagues to ensure the very best care for patients. Outside of practice, Dr. Gallagher enjoys mentoring upcoming dentists through social media and podcasting. He also enjoys running, trying new craft beers and spending time with friends and family. You can find Dr. Gallagher at our Brewster, Tarrytown and Mount Vernon locations.
Dr. Santvana Vyas
D.D.S
Dr Vyas attended NYU College of Dentistry and earned DDS in 2016 at the top of her class. She was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), the national dental honor society and earned Outstanding Achievement Award in study of Prosthodontics.
Dr Vyas is an active member of American College of Prosthodontics (ACP) and American Dental Association (ADA). She is appointed as a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU College of Dentistry. She is married and is blessed with two sons.
Dr. Gianna DeMase
D.D.S
Dr. DeMase received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University where she double-majored in Biology and Spanish. She then earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry where she graduated with honors in periodontics. After dental school, Dr. DeMase completed a General Practice Residency at Jacobi Medical Center, a level one trauma hospital. Here, she participated in community outreach in the women’s health clinic and taught medical students how to do oral exams. She also worked with special needs patients in Jacobi’s Rose F. Kennedy Center. Dr. DeMase remains committed to being active in the community.
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Dr. DeMase has experience in cavity restoration, endodontics, oral surgery, oral pathology, and prosthodontics including implant restorations.
She highly values patient education and always ensures your comfort and understanding of the treatment. She strongly believes in patient centered care and therefore tailors each treatment plan to you and your needs. As a member of the American Dental Association, Dr. DeMase is always aware of the latest studies and developments in the dental field and strives to apply them to her practice. In her spare time, she can usually be found with a book in her hands.
