When most of us think of our teeth, we focus on the crown — the visible part of the tooth we can see above the gum tissue. But there’s much more to teeth than the visible crown — your teeth extend way below your gums, all the way to the bone that supports the tooth roots.
That lower part of the tooth contains all the blood vessels and nerves that support your teeth, all contained within channels or canals extending from the center of each tooth all the way to the tip of each root.
These are your root canals, and like the visible parts of your teeth, they can become damaged and even infected, leading to deep, throbbing pain. They can also develop a problem called calcification, and without prompt treatment, a calcified root canal can lead to serious infections and tooth loss, too.
As a leading endodontic practice in New York City, Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC offers the most advanced treatments for calcified root canals, relieving pain and protecting the tooth from further damage. In this post, our team reviews the basics of root canal calcification and what we can do to restore your damaged tooth.
Calcified root canals happen when calcium builds up inside the root canal, narrowing the canal and sometimes blocking it completely. These deposits interfere with the vessels and nerves that support tooth health, increasing the risks of infection and tooth damage — even tooth loss.
Calcification happens for different reasons, including tooth trauma, deep decay, and aging. Prior root canal therapy and other dental treatments may lead to calcium deposition as part of the healing process, too.
Because calcified root canals don’t always cause symptoms early on, the best way to detect them is to have regular dental exams with X-rays to see inside your teeth. Early detection is essential for preventing additional calcium deposits and more complex issues, like tooth fractures or tooth loss.
Once calcium begins building up inside the tooth, it changes the shape of the canal, making it easier for bacteria to become trapped — and making it more difficult to treat the tooth, as well. Our team is skilled in advanced root canal techniques developed for complex canal anatomy, including dental surgical microscopes that help us visualize complex canals and treat them.
Your treatment begins with digital X-rays to “map out” the canal structure. Special access techniques and laser technology enable our team to reach the entire canal and destroy harmful bacteria.
Once the canal is completely clean and clear of debris, we seal it and fill it with a special material called gutta-percha. Then, we protect the tooth with a dental crown to prevent future problems.
Maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile may seem challenging, especially as you get older. But with regular dental care and prompt treatment for unusual symptoms, you can prevent problems and enjoy optimal oral health at every age.
If you’re having tooth pain, sensitivity, or other unusual symptoms, don’t put off having them evaluated. Call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City today.
