If you've been told you need a root canal, take a deep breath. Today's root canal therapy is nothing like the horror stories. With modern anesthesia, rotary instruments, and digital imaging, the procedure is comparable to getting a filling — and the relief from the toothache that brought you in is often immediate.
At Newpoint Family Dental in Unionville, CT, Dr. Tabai performs root canals right here in our office. No referral to an outside specialist, no extra appointments at an unfamiliar practice. One team, start to finish.
When Is a Root Canal Needed?
Inside every tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When the pulp becomes infected — due to deep decay, a crack, repeated dental work, or trauma — it can cause severe pain, sensitivity to hot and cold, swelling, and even an abscess. A root canal removes the infected pulp, eliminates the bacteria, and seals the tooth to prevent reinfection.
The alternative to a root canal is extraction. Whenever possible, saving your natural tooth is the better option — it maintains your bite alignment, chewing function, and jawbone health.
What the Procedure Looks Like
After numbing the area thoroughly, we isolate the tooth with a small protective sheet and create a tiny opening in the crown. Using precision rotary instruments, we remove the infected pulp from the canals, clean and shape them, and fill them with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. Most root canals are completed in a single visit. A crown is usually placed afterward to protect and strengthen the treated tooth.
Recovery and Aftercare
Mild soreness is normal for a few days after treatment and responds well to over-the-counter pain relievers. Most patients return to normal activities the same day. The tooth may feel slightly different from your other teeth for a while, but this sensation typically fades within a few weeks.
Patients from Farmington, Avon, Simsbury, and Canton come to Newpoint because they want root canal treatment done right, done gently, and done in one place by a doctor they trust.