Root canals in Port Washington
A root canal removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, relieves the pain and lets you keep the tooth. Today's root canals are far more comfortable than their reputation, and for most people, it feels similar to getting a filling.
Signs you may need one
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
- Throbbing pain, or pain when you bite down
- Swelling, or a pimple-like bump on the gum near a tooth
- A tooth that has darkened
- A deep cavity or crack that has reached the nerve
Sometimes there are no symptoms at all, and the infection shows up on an X-ray. Either way, treating it early is easier and more comfortable than waiting.
Accurate diagnosis with 3D imaging
When an ordinary X-ray doesn't tell the whole story, our cone-beam CT scanner gives a 3D view of the tooth, its roots and the surrounding bone. It helps us find hidden canals, cracks and infection, and plan treatment precisely.
What happens during a root canal
- Numbing. The tooth and surrounding area are fully numbed.
- Cleaning. A small opening is made in the tooth, and the infected or inflamed tissue is removed from the canals.
- Disinfecting and shaping. The canals are cleaned, disinfected and shaped.
- Sealing. The canals are filled and sealed to keep bacteria out.
- Protecting the tooth. A tooth that has had a root canal can become brittle, so a crown is usually recommended. Many of our crowns are made the same day.
Root canal or extraction?
Keeping your natural tooth is almost always the better long-term choice. Removing it leaves a gap that usually needs an implant or bridge, which takes longer and costs more. If a tooth truly can't be saved, we'll tell you honestly and walk you through your options.
In pain now?
Call us at (516) 430-7730. We'll do our best to see you the same day. See also emergency dental care.
Patients visit us from Port Washington, Manhasset and Great Neck, and from across Long Island and Queens.
After your visit
Home-care instructions: Root canal aftercare. All post-op instructions
Common questions
Is a root canal painful?
The procedure itself is done under local anesthesia and is usually no more uncomfortable than a filling. It's the infection beforehand that hurts, and treatment relieves it.
How long does a root canal take?
Most root canals are done in one visit of about an hour to an hour and a half. More complex teeth may need a second visit.
How will I feel afterward?
The tooth may be tender for a few days, which over-the-counter pain relievers usually handle. Most people go back to work or school the next day.
Is it better to just pull the tooth?
Keeping your natural tooth is usually the better long-term choice. Extraction leaves a gap that typically needs an implant or bridge.
Does insurance cover root canals?
Most dental plans cover a good part of root canal treatment. We'll check your benefits and give you an estimate before we start.
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Prefer to talk? Call (516) 430-7730.