The Root Canal Procedure

A root canal in New York, NY, is a procedure performed by a dentist to remove infected tissue from the interior of a tooth and replace it with filling material. This treatment is necessary when the tooth's pulp becomes inflamed or infected.

If left untreated, the inflammation or infection can spread to the surrounding bone and cause an abscess. An abscess is an infection that causes swelling in the gums around the affected tooth, severe pain, and redness.

When a patient needs a root canal, our dentist in New York, NY, will first numb the area with a local anesthetic. Then, the dentist will open the tooth's crown to access the pulp chamber. The dentist will remove any infected or damaged tissue from the chamber and then clean the chamber thoroughly.

Once the chamber is cleaned, the dentist will fill it and seal it with a rubber-like gutta-percha material. Finally, the dentist will place a crown over the tooth to protect it from further damage.