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.

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.

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.