Signs you may need a Root Canal Treatment
- Spontaneous, dull, achy pain even when you’re not eating or drinking
- Pain that wakes you up in the middle of the night
- Toothache that worsens when biting or when eating
- Darkening or discoloration of a tooth
- Recurring swelling, or “pimple” on the gums
- Tenderness in the gums
- Extreme sensitivity to cold or heat that lingers for more than 5 seconds
Ignoring these signs or symptoms may lead to further complications including increased pain, facial swelling, or the spread of infection. If you are unsure about any of the symptoms you’re experiencing, schedule an appointment with LivingArt Dentistry in Manhattan or Brooklyn, for a consultation and evaluation.
Your Root Canal may be performed in one visit
We begin by ensuring both the tooth and the affected area are fully anesthetized for the entire procedure. In most cases, once the tooth is repaired we recommend protecting it with a ceramic crown to prevent fracture.
During your root canal
After full anesthesia is achieved, treatment will be completed in either one or two appointments based on the health of the pulpal tissue. First, we will remove the decayed tooth structure and infected pulpal tissue. We then clean and shape the roots of your teeth to eradicate bacteria in the canals of your tooth. Once the canals are clean, we will place material to seal the canal. A temporary filling will then be placed to seal the treatment from harmful bacteria and the height of the tooth is reduced so that this new tooth is not an active player in the bite.
After your Root Canal
After treatment, you may experience similar pain to before treatment for about two days. You should avoid chewing on that side of your mouth for a couple of days or until the tenderness has subsided. Dr. Levingart will prescribe a final restoration for the tooth. It’s important to remember that teeth with root canals have a higher percentage of fractures as the nerves and vessels supplying the organ have been removed. Most teeth will benefit from the placement of a ceramic crown that will mimic the strength and esthetics of healthy tooth structure.