Root canal treatment
A root canal removes the inflamed or infected pulp inside a tooth, so you can keep the tooth instead of losing it. Most take 30 to 60 minutes.
Signs you may need one
The pulp at the center of each tooth holds its nerves and blood supply. When decay or a crack lets bacteria in, the pulp becomes inflamed, and that can be very painful. Signs include:
- pain when you bite or touch the tooth
- lingering sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet
- throbbing pain, sometimes worse at night
- swollen or tender gum near the tooth
- a tooth that has darkened after an injury
A checkup and an x-ray show whether the pulp is involved and how far any infection has spread.
What happens during treatment
- Numbing. The tooth is fully numbed with local anesthetic.
- Access. A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to reach the canals inside each root.
- Cleaning. The damaged pulp is removed and the canals are cleaned and shaped.
- Sealing. The canals are filled and sealed with a biocompatible material, and a temporary filling closes the opening.
- Crown. At a later visit, a crown goes on to protect the tooth for the long term.
Recovery
Most people go back to their normal day right away. Some tenderness is normal for a few days. Keep brushing and flossing as usual, and call us if swelling appears or pain gets worse instead of better.
Questions people ask us
Is it better to just pull the tooth?
Keeping your natural tooth is usually the better long-term choice, and replacing a pulled tooth with an implant or bridge costs more. Dr. Ed will give you both options and the fee for each.
How will I feel afterward?
Tender for a few days, which over-the-counter pain relievers usually handle. Avoid chewing hard food on that side until the crown is on.
Why do I need a crown after a root canal?
Treated teeth become more brittle. A crown protects the tooth from cracking, and we place it here, so you do not need to visit another office.
Related care
Dr Filangeri has been my dentist for 25 years. Would not go anywhere else. He and his staff are amazing. Very friendly, knowledgeable and caring. Have always gone out of their way to help and accommodate me.
Talk to a real person
Call and you will reach our front desk, not a call center. If you would rather not call, send an appointment request and we will phone you back to find a time.
516 Hawkins Ave, Lake Ronkonkoma. Free parking beside the office.