Root Canal Treatment – Jersey City, NJ
Putting a Stop to Your Tooth Pain
Used to repair badly infected, decayed, or damaged teeth, root canal therapy is a dental procedure that doesn’t have a very good reputation. In fact, some people are downright afraid of it.
Thankfully, root canal therapy from our Jersey City, NJ emergency dentist is not in the least bit painful and feels like getting a small filling. In addition, it can save teeth that otherwise would need to be extracted.
Why Choose AV Dental Associates of Jersey City for Root Canal Therapy?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- Custom-Made, Lifelike Crowns
- Friendly, Knowledgeable Dental Team
Why Someone Might Need a Root Canal
When the pulp inside of your tooth starts to break down, bad bacteria builds up inside the chamber. This can be caused by numerous issues including tooth decay or injury.
The dying pulp remains in the root and causes infection. That infection can easily spread to your head, neck, and other places in your facial area. The tip of the tooth root can also become infected.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy:
- Severe toothache
- Pain when chewing
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Darkening of the tooth
- Swelling
- Tender gums
Root Canal Process
If Dr. Vahid believes your tooth is infected, X-rays are taken to locate the infection in the roots and surrounding bone.
After you have been numbed, he will drill a small hole into the tooth so he can remove the debris, bacteria, and pulp.
Once removed, the inside of the root canal is filled and sealed. In some cases, medication may also be placed inside the canals for additional healing.
After the procedure is completed, a dental crown is placed on top of the tooth. The dental crown helps protect the damaged and repaired tooth by restoring its original function.
Root Canal Treatment FAQs
Root canals are notoriously misunderstood dental treatments that are rumored to be associated with pain. However, they actually cure pain caused by tooth infections and allow our team to preserve your natural tooth. If you have questions about getting a root canal in Jersey City, our team is here to put your mind at rest. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the most common concerns we hear from patients, along with our answers.
How long does it take to recover from root canal therapy?
Every person is different, so recovery can vary based on your treatment and how your body heals. However, most of our patients are able to return to their day-to-day routine just one day after their procedure.
If your job requires physical labor, like lifting boxes or heavy items, it may be best to take off two to three days after your root canal because activity can prolong the healing process by diverting blood from the treated site.
Another factor that will affect the length of your recovery time is if you’re diligent about following your dentist’s aftercare instructions. Be sure to stay away from hard and crunchy foods to prevent the blood clot from dislodging, and continue to brush and floss normally, being gentle around your treated tooth.
How much pain is normal after getting a root canal?
The root canal procedure itself shouldn’t be painful. However, it’s natural to experience some soreness and discomfort for the following few days. Once the local anesthetic wears off, you may notice mild pain and sensitivity. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help make you more comfortable.
Keep in mind that this discomfort is temporary, and it should begin to subside after about three days. If you notice that it’s getting worse or something doesn’t seem right, call your dentist in Jersey City right away.
How long does a root canal take?
Most dentists are able to complete the root canal within a single appointment. However, if the damage to your tooth is extensive, this could be extended to two visits, the first being the placement of an antibacterial medication in the tooth and the second actually cleaning out the tooth.
The length of the treatment can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes or more, and in many cases, patients need to return to the dentist to have a dental crown secured over the top of their tooth.
Can I take antibiotics instead of getting a root canal?
Despite antibiotics being able to treat most bacterial infections in other parts of the body, they don’t work on tooth infections. This is because they travel through the bloodstream, allowing them to reach most infected areas of the body; however, the bloodstream doesn’t reach the inner pulp of a tooth. This means that the only solution to treating a tooth infection is to either extract it or receive root canal therapy, manually cleaning out the infection.
