Endodontics

If you have inflamed or infected tooth pulp, endodontics can stop the pain, prevent the infection from spreading, and preserve your tooth. At Nassau Dental Spa in Franklin Square, New York, cosmetic and general dentist Nina Babayev, DDS, and the team offer various endodontic services, including root canal therapy and root canal retreatment. Call Nassau Dental Spa to request an endodontic consultation or book your appointment online today.

What is endodontics?

Endodontics is a dentistry subspecialty that diagnoses and treats problems affecting the tooth pulp. 

Each of your teeth has pulp inside –– a mix of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. If you get hit in the mouth or have a cavity, your tooth pulp may become inflamed or infected. Endodontic treatment stops the problem from worsening and prevents the need for extraction.

When is endodontics needed?

The Nassau Dental Spa team uses endodontics to treat tooth pulp damage, infection, or inflammation caused by:

• Chips and cracks
• Bacteria
• Extensive dental work
• Untreated cavities
• Tooth injuries

If you have tooth pain, swelling, or a sensation of heat in your gums, seek treatment. An oral exam and digital X-rays can check for pulp damage and determine the best treatment approach.

What services does endodontics provide?

Nassau Dental Spa offers two types of endodontic treatment:

Root canal therapy

During root canal therapy, your dentist removes the infected or inflamed pulp from the center of your tooth. They rinse your root canals out with an antiseptic solution and fill the center of your tooth with a material called gutta-percha. 

After the gutta-percha dries, your dentist may cover your tooth with a crown, restoring its shape, size, and appearance.

Root canal retreatment

Sometimes, a treated tooth develops an infection or remains painful. In this case, your dentist may recommend root canal retreatment.

Your Nassau Dental Spa provider takes the crown off your tooth, removes the gutta-percha, and carefully eliminates the remaining pockets of infection. After thoroughly recleaning and disinfecting your root canals, your provider applies an antibacterial paste and covers your tooth with a temporary crown.

Several weeks later, you return to Nassau Dental Spa. Your provider replaces the antibacterial paste with gutta-percha and updates your temporary crown with a custom one. The root canal retreatment process reduces your risk of additional complications and prevents the need for an extraction.

What is recovery like after endodontics?

After endodontic treatment, it’s normal to experience mild swelling, increased tooth sensitivity, and discomfort. Continue brushing and flossing as normal, but avoid biting down or chewing with the treated tooth for a few days. Any pain should improve within a few days, but if your symptoms continue or worsen, contact Nassau Dental Spa.

A week or two after your root canal or root canal retreatment, you return to Nassau Dental Spa. Your provider takes X-rays of your tooth to ensure the infection is gone and assess your recovery.

Call Nassau Dental Spa to explore the benefits of endodontics, or book your appointment online today.