Root Canal & Endodontics in Northeast Philadelphia

What Are Dental Root Canals?

Inside every one of your teeth is a soft pulp tissue that will sometimes become injured, infected or exposed. This can be due to trauma to the mouth via an injury or to severe tooth decay. No matter the root cause, it is a painful condition that will require surgery to save the tooth. This surgery is known as endodontic treatment, and is also called dental root canal treatment. The procedure consists of a dentist removing the pulp from the inside of the tooth. Our patients find this gets rid of the persistent tooth pain that they have been experiencing.

When Are Root Canal Procedures Necessary?

If left untreated, severely damaged or infected pulp will lead to you losing your tooth. A dental root canal is necessary to save the tooth and to relieve pain. There are a variety of signs that indicate whether or not you need this surgery. These signs are outlined below.

• Moderate to severe pain in the tooth that will not go away
• Swelling of the gums around the affected tooth
• Pain that awakens you during the night
• Tooth that is highly sensitive to cold, heat, or touch
• Pain when biting
• Tooth discoloration or deep cavities

If you have any of the above symptoms you should make an appointment to see a root canal dentist in Northeast Philadelphia.

Can My Regular Dentist Do a Root Canal?

In a great number of instances, patients find that their regular dentist can perform the root canal procedure. If a patient has a severe case that requires more complicated work, he or she may be referred to an endodontist. An endodontist has trained in diagnosing and treating issues that revolve the soft pulp tissue within the teeth. A visit with one of our dentists will determine the kind of treatment that you need.

What Is the Procedure for a Root Canal?

Your procedure will probably take between one and two hours to complete. A simple and routine root canal surgery involves the following steps.

1. The tooth is numbed via local anesthetics. This ensures that you remain comfortable and without pain for the entirety of the procedure.
2. Your dentist puts a shield around the tooth. This acts to isolate the tooth and to keep the area clean during the surgery.
3. An opening is made in the tooth’s crown. This grants your dentist access to the pulp chamber.
4. Your dentist removes the pulp. Special dental instruments are then used to clean and shape the canals.
5. The exposed root canals are flushed out with fluid that will disinfect and remove any debris.
6. Gutta-percha is placed in the canals. Gutta-percha is a rubbery material used to fill and seal the canals.
7. A root canal crown is placed on the crown of the tooth. This will keep your tooth from fracturing in the future.

The exact steps that your treatment will require depend upon the complexity of your case.

How Much Will a Root Canal Cost?

We understand that you may be concerned about the overall cost of your endodontic treatment. That’s why our dentists are always willing to give you an estimate of the cost of your procedure. What you will owe will depend on your dental insurance policy, the severity of the damage to your tooth, the steps necessary to get the tooth ready for the procedure, and if you are having an endodontist or a general dentist complete the procedure. Another factor that goes into determining the cost for root canals is how many roots are in the tooth. A front tooth has only one root, meaning your surgery will be cheaper than it would be for a tooth like a molar, which has four roots. Pick up the phone and contact us today to learn more about the cost of root canals.

What Kinds of Root Canals Are Available?

Most people have heard of standard root canals. These procedures are commonly performed on molars, but are also utilized for other teeth. There are other types of root canals that are done for more complicated cases, and an apicoectomy is one of these procedures. It is usually performed when a prior treatment has been unsuccessful. An apicoectomy consists of your dentist removing the entire tip of a tooth’s root. Another type of endodontic treatment is a pediatric pulpotomy, which consists of the dentist taking out the pulp but leaving the nerve in place.

How Much Pain Will I Be In?

Since local anesthetic is used for all root canals, you won’t be able to feel anything while your dentist is working. You may also be given pain medications to help you manage pain during the healing process. If you’re in need of endodontic treatment, call our office in Northeast Philadelphia today!