Root canals are common dental procedures to treat dental decay that many individuals will undergo at one point or another in their lifetime. Despite how common it is, you may not know what a root canal is or how long it takes. If your dental provider recommends a root canal for you, this is important information to be aware of.
About Root Canals
Dentists perform root canal treatments if a tooth is badly decayed or fractured. Root canals are necessary because if the tooth is left untreated, the pain will intensify, and the gum disease will spread to nearby teeth, causing additional decay. A root canal involves removing the decaying tissue from a tooth, treating it for infection, and resealing it.
It's a common misconception that this treatment is painful. However, they aren't any more painful than getting a cavity filling, which isn't very painful at all.
Most dental insurance plans will cover root canal treatment because it's done for the benefit of your oral health and isn't a cosmetic dentistry procedure.
How Long Does a Root Canal Procedure Take?
Typically, root canals can be done in a single visit to the dentist. This visit usually doesn't take more than two hours. However, if your issue is severe, you may require at least two visits to complete the procedure. Your dentist can let you know what to expect based on the specifics of your dental health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canals
Do I Need a Root Canal if the Tooth Doesn't Hurt?
If a decayed tooth is left untreated, it will hurt worse because the decay will likely spread to nearby teeth. Waiting until you are in a significant amount of pain might necessitate your dentist to perform a root canal on multiple teeth. This will be more expensive and painful than if you had taken care of it much earlier.
Will I Lose my Tooth?
The severity of your tooth's decay will determine what happens with your tooth. If your tooth is not too severely decayed, your dentist will be able to remove the decayed part. They will then leave the remaining part of the tooth in your mouth, covering it up with a dental filling or dental crown.
However, suppose the damage or decay is extensive. In that case, your dentist will likely suggest extracting the tooth and replacing it with an artificial tooth, typically with a dental implant. If your dentist can save your tooth, it can save you additional expense.
Root Canals at Smiles on the Upper Westside
Smiles on the Upper Westside provides routine and restorative dental care to the UWS neighborhood of NYC. We know that root canals can be anxiety-inducing and come with many uncertainties. We are here to make the root canal experience as pleasant as possible for you. Our skilled providers welcome the opportunity to address your questions and concerns both before and after the procedure.
A root canal treatment is done to help save a severely damaged tooth. If you have a broken or decayed tooth, call our office to find out if a root canal can help fix the problem. Contact us at 212-222-5225 to schedule an appointment with our dentists.