Root Canals
Relieving the pain, saving the tooth.
A toothache that does not ease up is one of the most stressful dental problems you can face. Sharp pain when you bite down, a dull ache that lingers for days, or sudden sensitivity to hot and cold can all point to an infection deep inside a tooth. Left alone, that infection can spread and put the whole tooth at risk.
At Bayside Dental Arts, Dr. Andrey Ilyabayev treats infected and inflamed teeth with root canal therapy, a procedure that removes the damaged tissue inside the tooth and seals it against future infection. Many root canals start with a small problem, such as a cavity that grows deeper than a filling can repair, so catching decay early gives you the best chance of avoiding one altogether. When a root canal is the right path forward, our approach is built around keeping you comfortable from the first appointment to the last.
What Is a Root Canal
A root canal treats the soft tissue inside a tooth, called the pulp, once it becomes infected or inflamed. The pulp holds nerves and blood vessels that helped the tooth develop, but once a tooth is fully grown, it no longer needs that tissue to function day to day. During treatment, Dr. Ilyabayev removes the infected pulp, cleans and shapes the empty canals, and seals them so bacteria cannot return. The outer tooth structure stays in place, which means you keep your natural tooth instead of losing it to an extraction.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
A few warning signs tend to show up before a tooth needs a root canal, including:
- Persistent pain when you bite or chew
- Sharp sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
- Swelling or tenderness in the gums near one tooth
- A tooth that has darkened next to the ones around it
- A small, recurring bump on the gum
- Pain that spreads to your jaw, ear, or face
Not every case causes pain right away. Some infections spread quietly, which is one reason a regular checkup can catch a problem before it grows worse.
What Causes a Tooth Infection
Most root canals trace back to decay that reaches the pulp. A cavity that goes untreated for too long, a crack from an injury or a hard bite, or repeated dental work on the same tooth can all let bacteria reach the nerve. Once bacteria settle in, the tissue cannot heal on its own, and the infection continues to grow until it is treated.
The Root Canal Process
Most root canals take one to two visits, depending on how many canals the tooth has and how far the infection has spread.
Do You Need a Crown Afterward
A tooth that has had a root canal can become more brittle over time, since it no longer gets nutrients from the pulp inside it.
For back teeth especially, which handle most of the pressure from chewing, Dr. Ilyabayev often recommends a dental crown to protect the tooth and restore its strength. Front teeth with lighter bite forces sometimes only need a filling, but your dentist can tell you what your specific tooth needs at your follow-up visit.
Recovery and Aftercare
Most patients return to their normal routine within a day or two. Mild soreness around the treated tooth is common and typically fades within a few days. Avoiding hard or sticky foods on that side of your mouth, keeping up with brushing and flossing, and attending your follow-up appointment all help the tooth heal and last for years to come. If your pain gets worse instead of better, or you develop new swelling, call our office right away rather than waiting for your next visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Root Canal Hurt
Modern root canals are performed under local anesthesia, so the procedure itself should not hurt more than getting a filling. Most of the discomfort people associate with root canals actually comes from the infection itself, not the treatment that resolves it.
How Long Does a Root Canal Take
A front tooth with a single canal often takes less time than a molar with several canals. Most appointments run between 60 and 90 minutes, and many root canals are finished in a single visit.
Is a Root Canal Better Than an Extraction
Saving your natural tooth with a root canal helps you keep your normal bite and prevents nearby teeth from shifting out of place. Extractions are sometimes unavoidable, but Dr. Ilyabayev only recommends removing a tooth when it cannot be saved.
How Successful Is Root Canal Treatment
A long-term review of clinical studies published in the International Endodontic Journal found root canal success rates between 82 and 93 percent, depending on how success is measured, with outcomes improving as techniques and materials have advanced over time (PubMed).
Does Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment
Coverage varies by plan and by which tooth is being treated. Bayside Dental Arts accepts PPO insurance plans and can help verify your root canal benefits before treatment begins.
Do Not Wait Out a Toothache
Dr. Andrey Ilyabayev has treated patients throughout Bayside, Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island for years, and root canal therapy is one of the ways our dental team helps people keep the teeth they already have. If a toothache has you worried, do not wait for it to get worse.
