Root Canals Queens/Bayside - Oyser Bay Root Canal Treatment

It is not uncommon to cringe at the mere thought of root canals since they are often associated with pain, but the truth is that root canals aren’t nearly as painful as the problems that lead you to needing the procedure in the first place!

A root canal is a procedure to remove damaged or dead pulp from inside of your tooth. Basically, the area inside of the hard shell of tooth is called the root canal and it is filled with the pulp which consists of blood vessels and nerves. This is also the area responsible for the horrible pain you feel when something has gone wrong, like a cavity, a broken filling or a crack in the tooth. When something like that happens it allows germs and bacteria to make their way into the tooth where they infect the pulp. That causes inflammation and pain and is also known as a dental abscess. If left untreated a dental abscess can cause all kinds of medical health problems. This is where the root canal procedure comes in.

The root canal treatment may begin with a round of antibiotics to kill the infection first. From there the dentist will numb the area with a local anesthetic and protect it with a dental dam. You may also have the option of oral conscious sedation to help make your appointment more comfortable. The next step is to make an opening in your tooth that leads to the pulp and then finally cleaning out the root canal using special instruments. Once the canal is clean and free of the damaged pulp the dentist will use a filling or crown to seal the tooth and protect it from further damage and infection. See, it’s really not that bad!

Let’s address the pain since that seems to be everyone’s biggest concern or even deterrent when it comes to getting a root canal done. The local anesthetic used numbs the area so you really don’t feel any pain during the procedure itself. For those who are especially anxious or fearful you may want to consider conscious oral sedation for your procedure which we now offer. When it comes to a root canal the minor pain and tenderness you may feel after the procedure doesn’t even come close to the pain that you feel from an abscessed tooth. That tenderness doesn’t last more than a few days and is usually managed by over-the-counter pain medications. We know that many people will put off having a root canal procedure done because of their anxiety and fear of pain and sometimes even for financial reasons, but you should know that putting it off only makes the problem worse which will lead to even more pain as well as a more complex treatment—possibly even surgery which also means a bigger expense. And, an infected pulp can also cause other health problems if left untreated.

If you have any questions or concerns about root canals in Queens or Oyster Bay please give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you.