Root Canal Treatment – Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Stopping Dental Pain and Saving Infected Teeth
Severe or chronic pain in a tooth is often the result of infected dental pulp. The problem will not get better on its own, but fortunately, Dr. Elsaid has a way to help you find relief while also saving the tooth from further harm: root canal treatment. This procedure is nowhere near as frightening as its reputation suggests, and it’s often the key to protecting and restoring your oral health. If you think that you might be in need of root canal treatment, please give our office a call today.
Why Choose Zen Dental Care for Root Canal Treatment?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- High-Quality Crowns for Restoring Teeth Afterward
- Soothing Amenities for More Comfortable Visits
Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?
Our team will need to examine your tooth in order to confirm whether you are suffering from an infection that may require a root canal treatment. There are many potential warning signs of an infected tooth, such as:
- Tooth pain that is severe or doesn’t go away.
- A tooth that’s extremely sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.
- A sharp pain that occurs whenever you bite down on something.
- One tooth that is noticeably darker than the others.
- A small pimple-like bump appearing on the gums.
All of the symptoms listed above warrant a call to our office. If a tooth infection truly is to blame, it’s important to ensure that you get the care you need promptly.
The Root Canal Process
At the beginning of your root canal treatment, a local anesthetic will be administered. This will help keep the area around your tooth numb during the procedure. Thanks to this step, the root canal treatment is often no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed.
After the mouth has been numbed, an opening is created in the tooth. This allows us to take out the pulp along with any other damaged, decayed, or infected particles. Then the inside of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned to ensure that no harmful bacteria are remaining.
The newly sanitized tooth will be filled with a biocompatible substance and resealed. In most cases, a dental crown will need to be placed; this is done to protect the treated tooth while also allowing it to function normally.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
If you’re told that you need a root canal treatment, it’s in your best interest to have the procedure performed as soon as possible. This will allow you to enjoy the following benefits:
- You can have the infection in your tooth removed before it can spread to other parts of the body and potentially cause more serious health issues.
- You can save your tooth from further damage and potentially avoid needing to have it extracted, allowing you to keep more of your natural smile intact.
- You will once again be able to use your tooth to chew your food without having to worry about discomfort.
Root Canal FAQs
Do I Still Need a Root Canal if My Toothache Went Away?
If we recommended a root canal to treat a toothache, you might naturally begin to wonder if you can cancel your appointment if the sensitivity, discomfort, or pain you were experiencing goes away. We don’t recommend it. After all, the change in your symptoms is likely due to something dire: the nerve has died. Since there is only a finite amount of time left to save your tooth, it’s crucial that we provide the necessary restorative care right away.
Are Root Canals Covered by Insurance?
Oftentimes, dental insurance providers cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of essential restorative care. Of course, there are also often waiting periods, yearly deductibles, and annual maximums that need to be considered, so it’s important to take a look at the fine print on your plan. If you need any assistance with understanding or utilizing your benefits, don’t hesitate to provide us with your membership information; we’re happy to accept all major PPOs, including Aetna and Guardian.
Important reminder: You shouldn’t let a lack of dental insurance stop you from getting the dental care you need. After all, that’s just one of the financial solutions that’s available at our office! We’re also proud to welcome flexible financing with CareCredit, and our membership plan includes one emergency exam as well as a 20% discount on necessary treatments.
How Much Pain is Normal After a Root Canal?
To ensure you don’t feel any pain during your root canal in Parsippany-Troy Hills, we will numb your mouth thoroughly beforehand. Once you begin to regain sensation in your mouth (which is often an hour or two after), it’s normal to experience some soreness and discomfort. The good news is that your emergency dentist will send you home with helpful aftercare instructions, like rinsing with warm saltwater periodically, not chewing on that side of your mouth, and taking OTC pain medication as directed.
Can Root Canals Be Prevented?
Usually, yes! That’s why we’re always encouraging our patients to commit to healthy habits, like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently. Additionally, you should wear a mouthguard during sports, exercise caution with crunchy foods, and limit your intake of added sugar. Finally, come to our office every six months so we can catch decay in the early stages as well as remove any plaque and tartar that has built up since your last visit.
What Happens if You Wait Too Long for a Root Canal?
Simply put, the longer you wait, the more time the root of the problem has to progress. Eventually, this will result in the nerve dying as well as the infection spreading throughout your mouth and body. Not only that, but the damage may become so extensive that we are no longer able to save your tooth. For all of those reasons, we advise against taking the “wait and see” approach.