Thoughtful Treatment Planning In Maspeth
Root Canal Treatment in Maspeth, Queens, NY
Treatment that removes the infection, ends the pain and lets you keep your own tooth.
Individual recommendations vary. An examination is needed before treatment is recommended.
In-network with Aetna PPO, MetLife PDP and Guardian PPO
A root canal treats a tooth whose nerve is infected or badly inflamed. It is how a dentist stops that kind of toothache and saves a tooth that would otherwise have to come out. At SOL Dental Arts in Maspeth, Queens, root canal treatment is done in our office by our general dentists. We examine the tooth first, show you what we see on the X-ray, and explain your options before we begin.
Signs you may need a root canal
- A toothache that lingers, throbs or wakes you at night
- Pain from hot or cold that lasts after the food or drink is gone
- Pain when you bite or tap on the tooth
- Swelling in the gum or face, or a small pimple on the gum that comes and goes
- A tooth that has turned darker than the ones next to it
Some infected teeth do not hurt at all and are found on an X-ray. Only an exam can tell. If you have swelling in your face, a fever, or trouble swallowing or breathing, go to an emergency room.
What causes it?
Inside every tooth is soft tissue called the pulp, which holds the nerve and blood supply. Deep decay, a crack, a hard knock or repeated work on the same tooth can let bacteria reach it. Once the pulp is infected it cannot heal by itself, and the infection can spread into the bone around the root.
What happens during root canal treatment
- Numbing. We numb the tooth and the area around it with local anesthetic, the same kind used for a filling.
- Isolation. A small sheet keeps the tooth dry and clean while we work.
- Cleaning. We make a small opening, remove the infected pulp, and clean and shape the canals inside the roots.
- Sealing. We fill and seal the canals so bacteria cannot get back in.
- Rebuilding. We close the tooth with a filling. Back teeth usually need a crown afterward, because a tooth that has had a root canal is more likely to crack under chewing forces.
Most people say it feels much like having a filling done, only longer. Our dentists treat front teeth and back teeth.
Root canal and crown in one office
After a root canal, the tooth needs to be sealed and protected. We plan that from the start, so the root canal and the filling or crown that follows are done here, by the same team that knows the tooth.
After your root canal
The tooth and gum can feel tender for a few days, most often when chewing. Over-the-counter pain relief is usually enough. Chew on the other side until the final filling or crown is in place, and keep brushing and flossing as normal. Call us if the pain gets worse instead of better, if swelling appears, or if the temporary filling comes out.
When we refer you
Our general dentists treat front teeth and back teeth. A tooth that has already had a root canal and has become infected again needs a different kind of care, so we refer those teeth to a colleague who focuses on that work. We tell you this at the exam, before any treatment starts, and we send your X-rays along.
Root canal treatment and insurance
SOL Dental Arts is in network with Aetna PPO, MetLife PDP and Guardian PPO plans. Root canal treatment and the crown that follows are commonly covered in part by dental plans. Call 917-983-4560 with your member ID and we will check your benefits.
Tooth pain? Call our Maspeth office
A tooth that needs a root canal does not get better with time. We are on Grand Avenue in Maspeth, open Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 2 PM. Call 917-983-4560 or request an appointment. For urgent problems see emergency dentistry.
Related pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a root canal hurt?
The tooth is numbed first, and most people compare the visit to having a filling. The pain people remember is usually the toothache before treatment, which the root canal is meant to end.
How long does a root canal take?
It depends on the tooth. Front teeth have fewer canals and are quicker. Back teeth take longer.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Back teeth usually do, because they take heavy chewing forces. Some front teeth need only a filling. We tell you which applies to your tooth before we start.
Is it better to pull the tooth?
Keeping your own tooth is usually the better choice when the tooth can be saved. A missing tooth needs to be replaced with a bridge, an implant crown or a partial denture, or the teeth around it can shift.
Can an infected tooth heal by itself?
No. Antibiotics can calm the swelling for a while, but the infection inside the tooth stays until the tooth is treated or removed.
Who does the root canal at SOL Dental Arts?
Our general dentists, in our Maspeth office. If your tooth needs care we do not provide, such as retreatment of an earlier root canal, we refer you and explain why.
Does insurance cover a root canal?
Many plans cover part of it. We are in network with Aetna PPO, MetLife PDP and Guardian PPO and will check your benefits for you.
Practice Trust
Columbia-Trained Dentists
Cosmetic, restorative, and implant planning on Grand Avenue in Maspeth, Queens.