Root Canal Dentist in Buffalo NY

Experienced Buffalo Endodontist Helping Remove the Discomfort That Comes from Damaged Teeth

Do you need a root canal but have concerns about the pain involved? At Precision Endodontics, we believe that all root canals should be pain-free. Dr. Aaron McCann is an experienced Endodontist in Buffalo providing pain-free root canals by utilizing state-of-the-art dental equipment.

Roughly 14 million people undergo root canals each year, making this procedure one of the most common types of dental treatments. That being said, many people today still put off necessary root canals because of the fear of discomfort.  The truth is the discomfort from a diseased or damaged tooth is much worse than anything that occurs at our dental office. Dr. McCann will ensure your root canal is experienced with little to no discomfort.

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The first step is to have Buffalo Root Canal Specialist, Dr. Aaron McCann perform a thorough examination.  Dr. McCann will assess the tooth damage and provide you with all available treatment options.

Then, we work with you to minimize out-of-pocket costs and maximize results. In other words, from start to finish, we are there for you.

Who Needs a Root Canal?

A damaged tooth, with even a hairline crack, often allows bacteria to penetrate the pulp and infect the nerve of the tooth.  So, almost any damaged tooth requires some form of advanced therapy to ensure tooth health.

Common Symptoms

Once infection sets in, many patients experience severe sensitivity to extreme temperature.  There may also be persistent swelling around the gum line.

However, in other cases, the damage is not readily visible, and only a digital X-ray reveals the true nature and extent of the damage to a tooth.

If left untreated, a damaged tooth can cause major complications. Initially, the swelling spreads to other areas of the mouth, and eventually to the face and neck. Shortly thereafter, as the infection worsens, bone loss starts to set in around the nerve. In many cases, the resulting drainage seeps into the skin.

What Happens During a Root Canal Treatment?

When working with our Buffalo Root Canal Specialists, a root canal typically requires only one office visit. After a thorough evaluation, Dr. MCann will gently numb the area.  Many patients describe the mild discomfort associated with this to that of a regular filling.

After clearing out bacteria and other debris, our root canal specialist seals the tooth to prevent further damage or decay.

The inside of the tooth is sealed as well, to further fortify the area.

If further work is needed, such as cosmetic restoration, these procedures can be performed as well.

After a Root Canal

Many patients are amazed at the night-and-day difference between a damaged and a healthy tooth.  The discomfort patients lived with before their root canal procedure dissipates almost immediately.

In those first few days after the procedure, over-the-counter pain relievers are normally more than enough to relieve any lingering discomfort. It is also a good idea to chew on the other side of one’s mouth in those first 72 to 96 hours.

Dr McCann has a very high success rate with root canal procedures.  Most patients are able to resume normal activities right away.

Apicoectomy

The process of apicoectomies has as its objective the strengthening of teeth with advanced techniques.  Minimally-invasive root canals almost never fail. However if your root canal fails, a surgical back-up plan is available.

Problems That May Develop After Root Canal Procedure

After a root canal, debris and bacteria can sometimes stay behind deep inside crevices that are very difficult for even experienced professionals to reach. That is why an Apicoectomy is often a good choice. This is because this procedure repairs the source of the problem.

The Procedure

Apicoectomies (apico-ectomies) is the microsurgical removal of the apex of the infected root.  As a rule, only patients who have had at least one unsuccessful root canal and are not good retreatment candidates should consider an Apicoectomy.

Since tooth roots are not much bigger than blood vessels, endodontists will often use an advanced digital microscope to locate the tip of the root and gently remove it. The area is then filled and sealed to form a permanent bond.

After An Apicoectomy

Because an Apicoectomy works from the bottom up, healing also occurs from the bottom up.  This gradual process often leads to better results. Furthermore, the shorter root tips actually make the tooth stronger, because bone tissue grows in its place.

As in almost all surgical procedures, some mild discomfort and inflammation is normal for the first few days. However, an over-the-counter pain reliever is typically sufficient to alleviate any discomfort.  We also recommend that most patients chew on the other side of their mouths for a few days

Endodontic Surgery

Endodontic surgery primarily serves the purpose of saving, conserving and preserving your natural dentition. In nearly all cases, minimally-invasive root canals are more than sufficient to repair even severely damaged teeth. In most cases, these repairs last a lifetime. That being said, sometimes the damage is too severe to address with these traditional techniques or, for various reasons, subsequent issues arise. Dental implants were really the only option in these situations. However, recent advances in endodontic microsurgery offers similar success rates to dental implants and a way to retain your natural dentition. In most cases, a new crown is not necessary following endodontic surgery offering a less expensive way to save your tooth than a dental implant.

Endodontic surgery can be utilized to identify slight fractures, or hidden canals that were not found on x-rays, or during prior treatment. Surgery could also be required to eliminate calcium deposits in the root canals, or repair the surfaces of damaged roots, and the encompassing bone of the tooth.

There are a variety of different procedures that can be utilized to salvage a tooth. The procedure most frequently used is called an Apicoectomy, which is sometimes used when there is a lingering infection or inflammation following a root canal treatment. During this procedure, we use the surgical microscope to access the gum tissue around the tooth to identify the foundational bone and eliminate any inflamed or infected tissue. We also extract the tip of the root. A tiny filling may be inserted to secure the end of the root canal, and a small number of stitches are put in place to aid in the healing of the tissue. Given time, the bone around the end of the root will heal itself. Local anesthetics are utilized to ensure the comfort of the patient, and often patients resume their regular activities the very next day. Discomfort after this treatment is typically minimal.

Download Our Free Root Canal Guide

We’re Here For You

Your health and satisfaction are our top priority.  We are looking forward to helping you.  Please contact our Buffalo Dental Office to schedule your root canal appointment.