If your tooth hurts when you bite down on it or feels very sensitive to heat and cold, you may need a root canal. Sometimes, people feel uneasy about this treatment, even though it can save their natural tooth and supporting root structure. They may put off receiving care or believe that a filling would do just as well.
Today, most of our patients report that the root canal procedure is comfortable and feels no different than receiving a large filling. If we examine your sore tooth and recommend a root canal, we're doing so with your best interests in mind.
What Happens When a Tooth Needs a Root Canal
If your tooth needs a root canal, it has an interior infection that could be caused in different ways:
- Cracked or broken tooth exposing the pulp or soft tissue inside the tooth
- Extensive decay that endangers or extends into the pulp
- Dead or dying tooth due to nerve infection
The discomfort you feel before a root canal can be severe. Biting down on the affected tooth or exposing it to hot and cold foods can inflame the living nerves, gums, or bone surrounding your tooth. The pain may come and go, which some patients believe is a reason not to seek treatment, but in reality is a hallmark of a tooth that needs a root canal.
When Root Canals Are the Only Option to Save Infected Teeth
If breakage or decay has gone so deep that the pulp chamber is exposed, root canal treatment or extraction is the only option to keep your tooth while preserving your oral and overall health. A filling or crown procedure cannot treat the infection or remove damaged pulp.
Root Canals vs. Extractions
A root canal removes all infected pulp from inside your tooth and deep within the roots. It relieves the intense pain brought on by the infection inside the tooth. Importantly, the procedure preserves your tooth’s natural root structure. Without natural roots, your jawbone won't get the chewing stimulation that keeps it healthy and strong.
Extractions also relieve pain and remove the source of infection, but they leave a gap in your smile that needs attention. To protect your oral health, consider a replacement tooth: a bridge, partial denture, or implant. If you leave an empty socket, other teeth may drift, disrupting their alignment and potentially increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
The Root Canal Procedure
A root canal is a gentle, routine procedure that typically takes between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the tooth’s size, location, and complexity. You will receive local anesthesia to keep you comfortable.
We make a small opening in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp. Using small tools, we gently clean the tooth’s interior and access the root canals. We remove all traces of inflamed or infected material and sanitize the tooth. We fill the tooth with biocompatible gutta-percha and seal the opening with a temporary filling. You will need to return for a permanent filling or crown within 30 days. Crowns generally perform better in this situation, but we'll review your options.
What to Expect After Your Root Canal
You may experience some mild soreness as the area heals. It will feel significantly better than before your procedure. Over-the-counter pain medication should be sufficient. If severe pain returns or you feel the area isn't healing as it should, please call us for help. We can address any issues and help your healing continue.
Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal Treatment
What symptoms indicate I may need a root canal?
If you have any of the symptoms listed below, call us as soon as possible for an appointment. Not all of these symptoms mean you need a root canal; several could have other causes. We will determine whether a root canal could relieve your pain and restore your natural tooth or whether an extraction may be required.
- Tooth pain that persists, or may fade temporarily and return stronger than before
- Prolonged sensitivity upon contact with hot or cold foods
- Tender, swollen gums
- Gray or black tooth discoloration
- Chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
- The tooth feels loose in your gum
What happens if I put off receiving a root canal?
The longer you wait to receive a root canal, the more complications can develop. One of the most serious is a dental abscess. An abscess happens when the infection spreads past the tooth and into the gums; it can cause systemic illness like fever and chills and requires immediate treatment before it spreads to other parts of the body.
Which option costs more: an extraction and replacement tooth or a root canal and crown?
In general, a root canal and crown are less costly than extracting and replacing a tooth. In addition, root canal-treated teeth typically fare better than those with a filling alone. We will help you decide which option makes the most sense for your tooth and for your budget.
What can I eat after getting a root canal?
You will want to eat softer foods for the first few days after your procedure and avoid chewing directly on the affected area until it feels back to normal. Smoothies, soups, pudding, yogurt, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes can be excellent choices. Your root canal site should heal in a few days.
What should I do if my tooth starts to hurt again, even if it is months or years after a root canal?
You may need root canal retreatment or have another oral health issue that needs to be addressed. Call us any time with questions or concerns.
At JM Dental of Westbury, we strive to protect and restore our patients’ oral health every day. We provide comprehensive care for you and your loved ones in our Nassau County practice. To schedule an appointment, call us today.