Root Canals

Up to 15 million Americans visit the dentist for root canals each year, making it one of the most common oral surgeries. At The Brooklyn Dental Center, serving the Flatbush and Prospect Lefferts Gardens neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York, experienced general and cosmetic dentist Chinar Mahadkar, DDS, specializes in root canal therapy. Root canals stop infections from spreading, limit tooth pulp damage, and keep your smile intact. Call The Brooklyn Dental Center today to schedule a root canal appointment, or book your visit online.

I’ve heard root canals are painful. Is that true?

Root canals are one of the most common dental procedures and present few risks. Thanks to modern anesthetics and treatment techniques, a root canal procedure is relatively quick and pain-free. 

At The Brooklyn Dental Center, Dr. Mahadkar uses root canals to repair damaged or infected tooth pulp. The pulp is a soft substance inside each of your teeth. It has nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that allow you to feel temperature sensations. 

Removing the pulp from the center of a tooth stops the pain, prevents the need for an extraction, and preserves your smile. 

When are root canals necessary?

At The Brooklyn Dental Center, Dr. Mahadkar uses root canals to repair damaged tooth pulp, caused by:

• Untreated cavities
• Chips and cracks
• Extensive dental work
• Trauma

Make an appointment with Dr. Mahadkar if you develop pain in your tooth, increased sensitivity, or a sensation of heat in your gums. The sooner you receive treatment, the less likely you are to need an extraction. 

What do root canals involve?

At The Brooklyn Dental Center, root canals take two visits.

Dr. Mahadkar completes an oral exam and takes X-rays of your affected tooth. If the X-rays confirm that you have damaged or infected tooth pulp, she numbs your mouth and removes the pulp from the center of your tooth.

Dr. Mahadkar cleans the inside of your tooth with an antiseptic and fills it with a material called gutta-percha. Then, she takes an intraoral scan of your tooth and covers it with a temporary crown.

A lab uses your intraoral scans to design a permanent dental crown. When the crown is ready, you return to The Brooklyn Dental Center.

At your second visit, Dr. Mahadkar replaces your temporary crown with the permanent one and checks your bite.

What is recovery like after a root canal?

After root canal therapy, it’s normal to have mild swelling and increased tooth sensitivity. Avoid biting down on your new crown for at least 24 hours and eat only soft foods, like scrambled eggs, soup, and mashed potatoes. 

Your mouth should feel as good as new within a week, but if your symptoms continue or get worse, contact Dr. Mahadkar.

Call The Brooklyn Dental Center today to schedule a root canal appointment, or book your visit online.