Root Canal

The Go-to Dentist for Root Canals in Morris County, NJ

Are you experiencing dental pain and think you may need a root canal in Morris County, NJ? If so, turn to the root canal specialists at Seidner Dentistry & Associates. We can diagnose your condition, eliminate the infection, help prolong the life of your tooth, and resolve your associated dental pain. We’re here to help you achieve your best dental health while keeping your smile beautiful and bright.

Dentist looking at woman's tooth with a small mirror

The Root Canal Procedure

A root canal is an endodontic (a branch of dentistry that deals specifically with saving teeth that are infected) procedure that treats a damaged or decayed tooth. It involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning thoroughly under the tooth, and filling the root to prevent reinfection. This preserves your natural tooth’s appearance and functionality. The goal of the procedure is to eliminate pain and discomfort without extracting the entire tooth.

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Causes and Symptoms

There are a few causes of root canals. These include:

  • Untreated tooth decay that has extended into the tooth root
  • A tooth injury that damages the pulp directly without affecting the tooth itself
  • A cracked or chipped tooth that exposes the root to bacteria
  • A tooth that has undergone multiple procedures

If you have an active infection that requires a root canal, you might experience the following symptoms:

  • Constant pain and pressure
  • Swelling of the gum
  • Sensitivity to touch
  • Lingering pain after eating hot or cold food
  • Sensitivity to heat or cold after dental treatment

A tooth that requires a root canal does not always present with discomfort or intense pain. Infections can be detected with a dental X-ray during regular checkups. Root canal therapy is preferable to full tooth extraction, as it preserves the functionality of your natural tooth. Additionally, a tooth that has undergone a root canal will not cause any future problems with adjacent teeth.

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Root Canal Vs. Extraction

When a tooth and its supporting tissues have an active infection, there are two procedures to consider: a root canal or a tooth extraction. A tooth extraction can effectively treat the problem; however, it is more invasive, carries a higher risk of infection following the procedure, and it can also alter your appearance.

A root canal can treat the infection without the need to pull the tooth. However, this all depends on your unique case—our dentist will have to carefully evaluate your dental health and provide a treatment plan that is right for you.

Root Canal Endodontics
Root Canal

After Your Root Canal

If you do need a root canal, our dentist will provide detailed aftercare to make sure you heal properly and avoid complications.

Root canal treatment can take one or more appointments to complete. A temporary filling is usually placed to protect the tooth between appointments. However, taking these precautions will protect your tooth and ease any post-operative discomfort.

Your lips, teeth, and tongue may be numb for several hours after your appointment. Avoid chewing hard until the numbness wears off. We recommend not chewing at all on the tooth for 3-5 days. We don’t want you unknowingly chewing on your inside cheek or lip!

It is common and not a problem for a small portion of the temporary filling to wear away and break off between appointments. If the entire temporary comes out, contact our office at your earliest convenience so we can replace it.

It is normal to experience some soreness for several days after a root canal procedure, especially when chewing. To alleviate discomfort, take pain medication as directed. If we prescribe antibiotics, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms of the infection are gone.

To further reduce pain and swelling, rinse three times a day with a saltwater solution (one teaspoon salt in a cup of very warm water). To protect the tooth and help keep your temporary filling in place, avoid eating sticky or hard foods (especially gum) and, if possible, chew on only the opposite side of your mouth.

It is critical to continue to maintain good oral hygiene. Always brush your teeth, but floss very carefully. To prevent removal of the temporary, remove the floss by pulling it through the teeth, not up and down or up from the space between the teeth.

We will almost always recommend a post and a crown to protect your tooth now that it has had a root canal. A post-root canal tooth is brittle and fragile and more prone to breaking or fracturing.

Learn More About Our Treatments

Contact our team to learn more about how our dentists can provide patients with an emergency root canal in Morris County, NJ, in just a single visit. In the past, root canal therapy typically required more than one visit. It’s important to have an infected tooth treated as soon as possible to avoid the infection spreading or causing more complex issues down the road, including damage to surrounding teeth or the need for a full tooth extraction.

Seidner Dentistry & Associates services are performed in a warm, comfortable environment. We offer financing options to pay for dental treatment because we believe everyone should be able to afford their dental needs. Give us a call today at 973-598-9555.

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