Root Canal Therapy

Do you have a painful, overly sensitive, or recently grayed tooth? Root canals have a bad reputation, but they are actually a common tooth-saving dental procedure offered by many dentists. With a root canal, you can relieve tooth pain and prevent the infection from spreading. Root canals also save your tooth, so you don’t need a tooth extraction. 

Dr. DeStefano and the friendly staff at DeStefano Dentistry offer root canal services. We provide compassionate care to enhance your smile, and we want you to live a life free of dental pain. Find out more about root canals or call today for an appointment.

Root canal graphic

What Is a Root Canal?

Infected root pulp is typically the result of dental decay that reaches past the outer protective layers of the tooth and causes the pulp to become irritated or destroyed by harmful bacteria.

The aim of root canal therapy is to save the life of the tooth. If the infection is allowed to go untreated, the root pulp, also known as the “nerves” of the tooth, may die and require the tooth to be extracted. This can cause other unnecessary dental issues, such as the surrounding teeth misaligning.

The most common symptoms of a tooth infection include: 

  • Tooth pain that feels deep and doesn’t go away
  • Pressure causing pain
  • Swollen gums
  • Pimples on the gums
  • Tooth discoloration

How Does a Root Canal Work?

During your appointment, Dr. DeStefano will remove the inflamed and infected tooth pulp. The steps of the process go like this:

First, Dr. DeStefano will numb the area. You can also receive dental sedation to help you feel more at ease. Then, he will place a thin piece of rubber around the tooth to keep it dry.

Next, Dr. DeStefano will make a small hole that reaches the tooth pulp and remove the infection. He will then clean and disinfect the area and fill it with a rubbery material called gutta-percha.

During this final section of a root canal, he will seal the tooth with a temporary filling to keep more bacteria from getting into your tooth. Finally, he will place a dental crown over your tooth to restore your smile.

If you have questions about root canals or how they relieve tooth pain, give us a call today.

Request an Appointment in Pittsford!

Do you have a tooth infection or suspect that you do? The best way to know if you have a tooth infection and need a root canal is to book an appointment with Dr. DeStefano. Our office is down-to-earth and comfortable, while still offering state-of-the-art dental technology.

You don’t have to live with tooth pain. A root canal can relieve your symptoms and keep the infection from spreading. Call our office today to request an appointment in Pittsford!