Relieve Tooth Pain and Help Save Your Natural Tooth
Persistent tooth pain, sensitivity, swelling or discomfort when biting can be signs that the inside of a tooth is inflamed or infected. Root canal therapy can remove the damaged tissue, relieve the source of the problem and help preserve a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted.
At Henrietta Family Dental, Dr. Soliman provides root canal treatment in Rochester, New York, including care for patients experiencing severe tooth pain or infection.
Call 585-424-3310 if you are experiencing tooth pain or need to schedule a root canal evaluation.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Inside each tooth is a soft tissue called the dental pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. Deep decay, cracks, trauma or infection can damage this tissue and cause significant discomfort.
Root canal therapy treats the problem from inside the tooth. Dr. Soliman removes the infected or inflamed pulp, carefully cleans and disinfects the root canal system, and seals the space to help prevent reinfection.
The goal is to eliminate the source of the infection while preserving as much of your natural tooth as possible.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Not every toothache requires root canal treatment, which is why an accurate diagnosis is important. Symptoms that may indicate a problem with the dental pulp include:
- Persistent or severe tooth pain
- Pain when chewing or biting
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
- Swelling or tenderness near a tooth
- A dental abscess or infection
- A cracked, fractured or badly damaged tooth
- Discoloration of a tooth
- A recurring pimple or bump on the gums
Some infected teeth cause little or no pain, so an examination and diagnostic imaging may be needed to determine whether root canal therapy is appropriate.
Root Canal Treatment From Dr. Ihab Soliman
Dr. Ihab Soliman has practiced dentistry since 2011 and provides root canal treatment in-house at Henrietta Family Dental. He has completed hundreds of root canal cases over the course of his career and has pursued continuing education and hands-on training in endodontics and related areas of dentistry.
Dr. Soliman earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and completed a general practice residency at Rochester General Hospital. His broader experience in restorative dentistry, oral surgery and emergency dental care helps him evaluate whether an injured or infected tooth can be preserved with root canal therapy or requires another treatment.
For patients who arrive with severe tooth pain or infection, Dr. Soliman can diagnose the problem and provide root canal treatment in the office when appropriate rather than automatically referring the patient elsewhere.
What to Expect During a Root Canal
Your visit begins with an examination to identify the source of your symptoms. Digital imaging and other diagnostic methods may be used to evaluate the tooth, surrounding bone and health of the dental pulp.
If root canal therapy is recommended, the treatment generally involves:
- Numbing the area: Local anesthetic is used to keep you comfortable during treatment.
- Accessing the inside of the tooth: A small opening is created so the damaged pulp can be reached.
- Cleaning the canals: Infected or inflamed tissue is removed, and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected.
- Sealing the tooth: The cleaned canals are filled and sealed to reduce the risk of reinfection.
- Restoring the tooth: Depending on how much tooth structure has been lost, a restoration may be recommended to protect the tooth and restore function.
Dr. Soliman will explain what your tooth needs and whether treatment can be completed in one visit or should be completed in stages.
Root Canal Therapy Can Help You Avoid an Extraction
When a tooth can be predictably treated and restored, preserving it is often preferable to removing it. Root canal therapy allows the natural tooth to remain in place while addressing infection or inflammation within it.
Saving the tooth can help maintain your bite, chewing function and dental alignment. It may also help you avoid the additional treatment that can be needed to replace an extracted tooth.
There are situations in which a tooth is too damaged to save. Because Dr. Soliman also performs routine and surgical tooth extractions, he can evaluate both options and explain which approach is appropriate for your individual situation.
Technology for Diagnosing Tooth Pain and Infection
Determining why a tooth hurts is essential before beginning treatment. Henrietta Family Dental uses digital diagnostic technology to evaluate painful or infected teeth and support treatment planning.
Depending on the situation, Dr. Soliman may use digital X-rays, CBCT or 3D imaging, intraoral imaging and pulp vitality testing to evaluate the tooth, roots and surrounding structures.
These tools can help distinguish a root canal problem from other causes of dental pain and provide the information needed to recommend appropriate treatment.
Emergency Root Canal Treatment for Severe Tooth Pain
Tooth infections can sometimes progress quickly. Severe pain, swelling or an abscess may require urgent evaluation, particularly when symptoms are getting worse.
Henrietta Family Dental provides emergency dental care and reserves time for urgent dental needs. Dr. Soliman can provide root canal treatment when it is appropriate for a patient experiencing severe pain or infection.
If you have severe tooth pain or swelling, call 585-424-3310 so our team can help determine your next step.
Comfort During Root Canal Treatment
Root canals have a reputation for being painful, but the purpose of treatment is to address the damaged or infected tissue that is often causing the pain. Local anesthetic is used to keep the treatment area numb while the procedure is performed.
Dr. Soliman also has training and experience in sedation dentistry. If dental anxiety makes it difficult for you to receive treatment, talk with our team about whether available sedation options may be appropriate for you.
When Should You Call About Tooth Pain?
Do not wait for dental pain to become unbearable before having it evaluated. A tooth that is infected or severely damaged generally will not heal on its own, and delaying treatment may allow the problem to progress.
Contact Henrietta Family Dental if you have persistent pain, swelling, prolonged sensitivity or another symptom that concerns you. An examination can determine whether you need root canal therapy or a different type of dental treatment.
Root Canal Therapy FAQ
How do I know if I need a root canal?
Persistent tooth pain, lingering sensitivity, pain while biting, swelling or a dental infection can indicate damage to the pulp inside a tooth. An examination and diagnostic imaging are needed to determine whether root canal treatment is appropriate.
Does Dr. Soliman perform root canals in the office?
Yes. Dr. Soliman provides root canal treatment in-house at Henrietta Family Dental and has been providing root canal therapy since he began practicing dentistry in 2011.
Can a root canal relieve severe tooth pain?
When pain is caused by inflammation or infection inside the tooth, root canal therapy removes the affected tissue and treats the source of the problem. Many patients seek treatment specifically because of significant tooth pain.
Can I get an emergency root canal for an infected tooth?
Yes, when root canal therapy is the appropriate treatment. Henrietta Family Dental evaluates urgent dental problems, including severe tooth pain and infection, and Dr. Soliman provides root canal treatment in-house.
Is a root canal painful?
Local anesthetic is used to numb the treatment area. The goal of root canal therapy is to remove infected or inflamed tissue that may already be causing significant pain and help the tooth heal.
Is a root canal better than having the tooth extracted?
If a tooth can be successfully treated and restored, root canal therapy can allow you to keep your natural tooth. Some teeth are too damaged to preserve, so Dr. Soliman will evaluate the condition of the tooth and explain the appropriate options.
Will I need a crown after a root canal?
Some teeth need a crown or another restoration after root canal therapy to restore strength and function. The type of restoration depends on the tooth, its location and how much healthy tooth structure remains.
How long does root canal treatment take?
Treatment time depends on the tooth, the number and shape of its canals, the extent of infection and the complexity of the case. Dr. Soliman will explain what to expect after evaluating your tooth.
What happens if I delay treatment for an infected tooth?
An untreated dental infection may worsen and can lead to increasing pain, swelling or further damage to the tooth and surrounding tissues. Prompt evaluation can help determine whether the tooth can be preserved.
Where can I get root canal treatment near Rochester?
Henrietta Family Dental provides root canal therapy in Rochester, New York, for patients from the surrounding Rochester area. Call 585-424-3310 to schedule an evaluation.
Find Relief From Tooth Pain and Protect Your Smile
If tooth pain, sensitivity or infection is interfering with your day, contact Henrietta Family Dental. Dr. Soliman provides root canal therapy in Rochester, New York, with the experience and in-office diagnostic capabilities needed to evaluate the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Call 585-424-3310 or contact our office to schedule your root canal evaluation.