Advancements in dental technology have made root canals both easier and more comfortable than in decades past. Root canals are an area of specialty for Sheldon Kupferman, DDS, of Riverdale Dental Arts in Riverdale, New York in the New York City borough of the Bronx. To explore the root canal process in greater detail, call the office today to schedule a visit. Or schedule an appointment using the simple online booking tool.
A root canal is a treatment that repairs a severely decayed or infected tooth. Once a dreaded dental procedure, today’s root canals are comfortable and effective.
To understand a root canal, it helps to think about the structure of your teeth. The outermost layer of your teeth is a thin white shell of hard tissue called enamel. Just beneath lies another layer of hard tissue called dentin.
Beneath your dentin is a hollow chamber filled with dental pulp. Your pulp contains a mix of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. If your pulp becomes infected your body cannot clear the infection on its own.
A root canal treats an infected tooth by removing the pulp and placing a dental crown to protect the tooth. It allows you to save your natural tooth while also eliminating dental pain caused by the infection.
Knowing what to look for can help you decide when to call Riverside Dental Arts for a diagnostic assessment. Some of the signs a root canal may be needed include:
If you notice any of these changes, schedule a visit right away. Left untreated, an infected tooth can cause an abscess, a painful pocket of infection at the tip of the tooth’s root.
X-rays might be needed to learn more about the inner structure of your teeth. If Dr. Kupferman determines you need a root canal, you’ll receive an injection of numbing medication at the beginning of your visit.
Dr. Kupferman begins by creating a small hole to gain access to the interior chamber of the tooth. He then uses very slim dental tools called files to carefully remove all traces of pulp from the tooth chamber and the hollow canals of the tooth roots.
After the cleared chamber is rinsed and prepared, a special material called gutta percha is placed within the chamber and secured using dental cement. This seals the cleared root canals to reduce the risk of further infection.
The access hole is closed with a small filling and a temporary crown is secured until your permanent crown arrives from the lab. You’ll return to have your crown checked for fit and cemented into place, completing the restoration process.
If you’d like more information about the root canal process, call the office to set up a visit, or schedule an appointment using the online booking tool.
