Root Canal Therapy Philadelphia

Relieve your tooth pain or infection while saving your natural tooth.

Endodontic therapy — more often referred to as root canal treatment — is one of the last steps in tooth preservation. When your tooth might otherwise be facing an extraction, performing a root canal is typically the best choice.

Rumors aside, getting a root canal doesn’t actually have to be an uncomfortable process. Thanks to advanced techniques and computerized anesthesia delivery, we can treat your tooth without it feeling much different than any other routine procedure. Dr. Eidelson gets patients out of pain with his root canal treatments in Philadelphia.

What’s Involved in a Root Canal Treatment?

During a root canal, Philly dentist Dr. Richard Eidelson will create a small opening in your tooth to access the dying or infected nerve inside of it. The nerve tissues are removed, and the empty chamber is cleaned out, medicated, then sealed off.

Since endodontically treated teeth are no longer alive, they tend to be more prone to wear. Placing a protective crown over your tooth will help to extend its integrity for years to come.

Do I Need a Root Canal?

Our Philadelphia root canal treatment is recommended when decay or trauma have reached the nerve tissues inside of a tooth. Placing a filling or crown over it would simply trap infection or dying tissues inside, posing a greater risk to your smile.

Dr. Eidelson may recommend a root canal if you have experienced or are currently experiencing:

A traumatic injury to the tooth
Aggressive tooth decay
Visible signs of nerve death (such as a darkening tooth)
An abscess draining from the tip of the root
Hypersensitivity or chronic toothaches
Suspected deep crack

During your exam, we’ll take an X-ray of your tooth to evaluate the full length of the root. Any abscesses will usually be visible. Additionally, we’ll check to see how deep current cavities are in relation to the nerve chamber at the center of your tooth. Dr. Eidelson can also use a special tool when you’re biting to evaluate whether the tooth may be cracked.

Alternatives to Root Canal Treatment

Unfortunately, the only alternative to getting a root canal is having the tooth extracted. Leaving the infection untreated can lead to additional concerns in neighboring healthy teeth. In rare situations it can also result in a hospital stay. Although antibiotic therapy can provide minimal relief prior to the root canal being performed, an untreated abscess will result in recurring infection and possible antibiotic drug resistance.

If you do choose to remove your tooth, you’ll also have to consider replacing it with an implant or dental bridge to preserve spacing throughout your overall smile.

As long as your tooth can be saved, a root canal is nearly always the best option.