What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a procedure that removes infected or inflamed pulp tissue from inside a tooth, cleans and disinfects the root canal system, and seals the space to prevent reinfection. The dental pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue, can become compromised by deep decay, cracks, trauma, or repeated dental work. When this happens, the result is often severe pain, sensitivity, swelling, or abscess formation. Root canal therapy eliminates the infection while preserving the natural tooth.
Root Canal Therapy: Quick Facts
Quick fact | Typical answer |
|---|---|
Number of visits | 1 to 2, plus a visit for the crown |
Time needed | 60 to 90 minutes |
Anesthesia | Local anesthesia |
Recovery time | Tenderness for a few days |
How long it lasts | Many years, often a lifetime, once crowned |
These are typical ranges. Your own plan is confirmed after an examination.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
A root canal is needed when the pulp is infected or damaged beyond repair. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all, and the problem is found on an X-ray.
Throbbing or spontaneous toothache
Sensitivity to heat or cold that lingers for more than a few seconds
Pain when chewing or pressing on the tooth
Swelling or a pimple on the gum near the tooth
A tooth that has turned grey or dark
A deep cavity or crack reaching the nerve
Root Canal Therapy at Bensonhurst Dental Care
At Bensonhurst Dental Care, root canal therapy is performed by Dr. Alex Rubinshtein, who brings over 22 years of experience and advanced technology to every case. The procedure begins with a thorough diagnosis using clinical examination and digital imaging to identify the source and extent of the infection. Local anesthesia ensures the patient is comfortable throughout. Dr. Alex accesses the pulp chamber, carefully removes the infected tissue, cleans and shapes the canals, and fills them with a biocompatible material. The tooth is then sealed to prevent bacteria from re-entering.
What to Expect, Step by Step
Diagnosis. X-rays and tests confirm which tooth is involved and the condition of the pulp.
Numbing. Local anesthesia is given and the tooth is isolated with a rubber dam.
Access. A small opening is made in the top of the tooth.
Cleaning and shaping. The pulp is removed and the canals are cleaned, shaped and disinfected.
Filling. The canals are filled with a rubber-like material and sealed.
Restoration. A core and, in most cases, a crown are placed to protect the tooth.
Root canal therapy compared with extraction
Feature | Root canal and crown | Extraction and replacement |
|---|---|---|
Natural tooth | Kept | Lost |
Number of procedures | Root canal, then crown | Extraction, then implant or bridge |
Total treatment time | Usually 2 to 3 visits | Several months with an implant |
Effect on neighboring teeth | None | A bridge involves them |
Modern root canal treatment feels much like having a filling. What is different is that it saves a tooth that would otherwise be lost.
Recovery and Aftercare
After your visit
The first 24 hours
Do not chew until the numbness wears off
Avoid biting on the tooth until it is fully restored
Take pain relief as advised; tenderness for a few days is normal
The following days and weeks
Have the permanent crown or filling placed promptly; an uncrowned back tooth can fracture
Brush and floss the tooth normally
Attend any follow-up X-ray
When to Call Us
Call the office on (718) 234-3434 if you notice any of the following:
Severe pain or pressure lasting more than a few days
Swelling inside or outside the mouth
The temporary filling comes out
Your bite feels uneven
Restoring the Tooth and Long-Term Outlook
Following root canal therapy, most teeth require a dental crown to restore strength and protect the treated tooth from fracture. In some cases, a post and core restoration is placed inside the tooth first to provide additional internal support for the crown. These restorative steps are coordinated within the practice to ensure seamless continuity of care.
Root canal therapy has a high success rate and allows patients to keep their natural tooth, which is always the preferred outcome when possible. A treated and properly restored tooth can function normally for many years or even a lifetime with good oral care and regular dental exams.
Cost and Insurance
Root canal fees are set by the tooth: a front tooth with a single canal is simpler to treat than a molar with several, and the crown or buildup that protects the tooth afterward is a separate fee. X-rays and, where needed, three-dimensional imaging are part of the work-up. Most plans pay part of a root canal, often at the basic or major rate depending on your plan.
What affects the cost
The tooth being treated: front tooth, premolar or molar
Whether it is a first treatment or a retreatment
The restoration needed afterward, usually a core and crown
3D imaging, if required
Most dental plans contribute to root canal treatment and to the crown that follows. Our team can check your benefits and explain your options before treatment begins.
For typical price ranges, read our guide to how much a root canal costs in Brooklyn.
