What Is a Root Canal?

Root canal surgery is something that people tend to talk about as if it is a particularly unpleasant thing. You may have heard a friend say, ‘I’d rather have a root canal than do that’, about something they especially dislike. Actually, root canal treatment, or endodontics as it is known in the medical world, is not something to be afraid of, and actually relieves pain and dental deterioration far more than it causes it.

What Is a Root Canal Used to Treat?

Root canal treatment works on the pulp within a tooth. As teeth grow and develop, the hard enamel is what you see on the outside, and the dentine layer beneath that are fed by a collection of nerves and cells is known as the pulp. This pulp isn’t needed to sustain the tooth when it reaches maturity, but it can become infected when there is an injury to the tooth or a cavity. The bacteria that can grow within this part of a tooth’s anatomy can lead to painful infections and even abscesses, and this is what root canal treatment seeks to rectify.

What Does Root Canal Treatment Involve?

Root canal treatment is performed under local anesthetic, so the gums and nerves affected by the procedure will be numbed using an injection. This is the only part of the procedure most people report as being uncomfortable, and it feels like any other injection – a pinch or prick. For the rest of the procedure, you should experience no pain as the endodontist works to remove the pulp from the affected tooth. The inside of your tooth may be flushed out to remove any remaining tissue. You may have to have a later visit to your endodontist after a few weeks to apply a crown to your tooth.

Can a Root Canal Save a Diseased Tooth?

Dental treatments are advancing all the time, and it is now possible to save teeth that only a matter of a few years ago would have needed to be removed. However, if this can’t salvage your problem tooth, your dentist will have other solutions to help you.

If you are experiencing pain or strong sensitivity in a tooth, a root canal may well be the solution, and there is no reason to be afraid. Book an appointment today with the best root canal specialist in New York, and you’ll soon be recovering from your current dental pain.