Root Canals

Root Canals

As a trusted dentist in New Hyde Park, we know root canals are often misunderstood and feared, but the truth is they are not painful and do not involve removing the roots of your tooth. Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve inside a tooth becomes irreversibly inflamed or dies due to cavities, cracks, or trauma. Despite the negative jokes you may hear, root canals don’t have to hurt. At Vinciguerra & Mathew Dentistry, we specialize in gentle, painless care and are proud to be one of the few practices in New Hyde Park offering sedation dentistry for your comfort.

Conservative restoration for a damaged tooth

Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canals

In other dental offices, root canals may be very painful. But usually, the pain that is associated with a root canal is the pain leading up to the diagnosis (the toothache that brought you in to see us in the first place!), not the root canal procedure itself. In fact, most patients are surprised to learn that their teeth usually feel quite a bit better after a root canal is completed.

At Vinciguerra & Mathew Dentistry in New Hyde Park, root canal therapy is a straightforward, comfortable procedure. We create a small opening in the tooth, remove the infection, place medication inside, and seal it with a protective filling. Because teeth can become brittle after a root canal, we often recommend a dental crown to strengthen and protect the tooth from future damage. While crowns frequently follow root canals, they’re also used on their own to restore and protect teeth—so needing a crown doesn’t always mean you need a root canal. Root canals are not surgical procedures, and recovery is typically quick and painless. If you’re unsure whether you need one, we’re happy to provide free consultations and second opinions.

A root canal is often followed by a protective restoration such as a same-day crown. Learn more about our complete restorative dentistry services.