Endodontics

Root Canal Therapy & Endodontics in Staten Island

A root canal can be performed expertly by Staten Island dentist Dr. Fred HechtNo matter how well we treat our teeth, over time they can still become damaged and the inner nerves can become infected. A tooth infection can lead to some serious dental problems including:

  • Constant and severe tooth pain and pressure in the mouth
  • Noticeable swelling
  • Extreme sensitivity in the gums
  • Sharp pain when biting down on food
  • Lingering pain after eating something cold or hot

These symptoms may be the cause of a tooth infection, and if you’re experiencing any of them, you should call Staten Island root canal specialist, Dr. Fred Hecht, MAGD, right away! Tooth infections can often be treated in a quick and painless endodontics procedure which saves the outer structure of your natural tooth and prevents the surrounding teeth from getting infected themselves.

Though we will do our best to preserve your natural teeth, if a tooth is damaged or infected too severely, a tooth extraction may be necessary to preserve the integrity of your overall oral health. If you do need a dental extraction, Dr. Hecht is very skilled at performing tooth extractions, and our office provides many options for replacing your damaged tooth with a beautiful new dental crown.

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What Is Endodontics?

Root canal patient in Staten IslandYour teeth are living things, with live nerve tissue inside of them—also known as the tooth pulp. Endodontics refers to the dental specialty focused on studying and treating the inner pulp of a tooth. The pulp is the part of your tooth that keeps it alive, but when damage to the outer protective layers causes bacteria to get through, it can become infected and be very painful.

Your teeth contain several layers: the outer protective enamel, a secondary layer of sensitive dentin, and an inner pulp that contains components commonly referred to as the “nerve” of the tooth. Each pulp chamber branches off, forming canals that lead toward the tooth root tip. These infamous root canals provide a means for the tooth to absorb what it needs from the blood and get rid of toxins or other unnecessary materials via the bloodstream. A deep cavity, traumatic injury, or tooth fracture can make the canal susceptible to bacterial infection, which can kill the pulp, stimulate increased blood flow, and create pressure within the tooth. This can cause severe tooth pain and may initiate bone degeneration, tooth loss, and even more acute pain. If you see a root canal dentist in the earliest stages of this condition, the tooth may be saved with a root canal. Otherwise, it should be extracted and replaced with a prosthetic.

When this happens, endodontics can help save that tooth and prevent the surrounding teeth from getting the same tooth infection. The most common endodontic procedure is known as the root canal.

What Is a Root Canal?

Though they are often thought to be a painful procedure, root canal treatment is actually the solution to the pain and problems that come with a dental infection or inflammation. A root canal is the name given to the dental procedure that clears away infected tissue in or around a tooth and provides pain relief for your toothache.

If an infected tooth goes without being treated, a dental abscess can form. A dental abscess, or tooth abscess, is a pocket of pus that builds up in the infected area of the tooth. When this occurs, a root canal is the best treatment to choose because it will leave your tooth intact without having to remove it entirely.

The Root Canal Process

Once we’ve established that you need a root canal, we’ll schedule an appointment for treatment with our Staten Island root canal dentist. You’ll come in and we’ll carefully remove the damaged and dying tissue from the inside of your tooth, then we will fill the area with a dental sealant that will protect your tooth from further infection.

In some instances, we will also place a dental crown on top of your tooth as an added layer of protection to keep it safe and stable. After we are finished with your root canal treatment, the area might be tender or sore for a few days but recovery time is relatively quick.

Does A Root Canal Hurt?

Not with today’s advanced analgesics and technology. In fact, the entire process can be so comfortable that many patients doze off. Oftentimes, root canal therapy can be completed in a single appointment. We simply clean out the diseased canal, fill it canal with a biologically-inert substance, seal it from further infection, and you’re on your way. While some patients experience post-procedural soreness or slight tissue inflammation, these are controllable with over-the-counter analgesics. Follow-up care after root canals involves thorough home hygiene and regular dental visits for teeth cleanings and dental check ups.

For Tooth Pain Relief, See Your Staten Island Root Canal Dentist, Dr. Hecht Today!

Root canal therapy preserves your existing teeth while removing damaged or decaying nerve tissue and infection that could spread to affect your entire mouth. If you have extreme tooth pain, call our office today! We’ll do our best to save your tooth, or we can remove the problem and give you a beautiful new replacement tooth.