Root Canal Therapy in Mays Landing & Linwood, NJ
X-rays taken by our gentle hygienists can show if root canals need treatment.
Fast, gentle Root Canals
Using rotary instruments, our root canals are fast and can be completed in one visit 99% of the time. Root canals have gotten the reputation for being painful, but any pain is completely avoided by giving our patients the right amount of anesthetic, and by numbing the gum first so that even the injection is painless.
We can take care of most root canals ourselves, but for more complex ones, we partner with an excellent endodontist (root canal specialist) who uses 3D X-rays to precisely plot the afflicted canals. The first step is to meet with one of our doctors who will determine the best course of action, and who will perform the root canal himself where indicated.
What is Root Canal Therapy?
A root canal is a pulp-filled cavity in the root of a tooth. Root canal therapy is performed to save a tooth that has an infected root interior, the pulp. The infected pulp is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and filled with a rubber-like material. Our doctors often place a crown on the tooth to protect it.
Although the root itself is now dead, the tooth can continue to function as it is nourished by the tissues surrounding it. Doing a root canal to save a tooth has the advantage of maintaining efficient chewing and normal biting forces and maintains the adjacent teeth in position.
Signs you need a Root Canal
A root canal can result in pain and an abscess, although sometimes you won’t notice any pain. Other definite signs are swelling around the gum line and an abscess or pimple near the tooth. The tooth can also become discolored. Pain that is sporadic is also an indicator, such as when there is:
- Spontaneous pain from no apparent trigger
- Tenderness at the bottom of the root
- A tooth that hurts to bite on
- Pain in response to heat and cold that lasts several minutes