Endodontics at Aesthetic Dental Center of Bergen County

Endodontics is a field of dentistry involving the dental pulp and surrounding tissues around the roots of teeth. Endodontic treatment is concerned with the treatment of the soft pulp found at the center of the tooth. 

The goal of your dentist is to save your tooth so that your natural smile is maintained and you can keep eating your favorite foods and protect your general health. 

Root Canal Treatment

A root canal may be needed when your dental pulp has become damaged, infected or injured. A patient may require a basic root canal due to the presence of an infected tooth that is painful. Other patients may have previously had a root canal but require some follow-up work. Still others may have lost a large filling or cracked a tooth.

A dentist normally employs a root canal to preserve the structure of the teeth, strengthen them, and extend their healthy lifespan. 

Good Candidates for Root Canal Procedures

If your tooth has been damaged, even if it is only a hairline crack, bacteria can use this opening to invade the dental pulp and infect the tooth nerve. So virtually any type of tooth damage necessitates some type of therapy to ensure that the tooth remains sound. If you exhibit any symptoms below, you will likely require root canal therapy.

Common Symptoms

After the onset of infection, it is common to experience severe sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures in the mouth. You may also notice chronic swelling of your gums. Other people find that the damage is not as apparent. Sometimes only an x-ray will reveal tooth damage.

If a damaged tooth is left untreated, complications can ensue. At first, the swelling may begin spreading to other parts of the mouth, eventually reaching the face and neck. Next, the infection will grow worse and bone loss can begin to develop around the nerves of the teeth.

Root Canal: What To Expect

We aim to minimize the number of office visits to complete a root canal procedure. After we have completely examined you, we will numb the area of treatment. Any temporary discomfort experienced at this time is similar to that of a dental filling.

During the next step, we will thoroughly clear out bacteria and debris from the area. We then will seal your tooth to protect it from further decay or damage. Further fortification is provided by sealing the inside of the tooth. A cosmetic restoration may also be performed at this time.

Root Canal Aftercare

Following a root canal procedure, you need to follow all provided instructions to ensure that you heal both properly and quickly. Avoid biting down on hard foods while your mouth is still sensitive. Over-the-counter pain relievers are normally sufficient to relieve any post-procedure discomfort that you may be experiencing.

Contact us if you should keep experiencing pain or swelling after the use of pain relievers. Additional treatment should not be necessary if you keep your mouth and teeth clean following your root canal procedure. Avoid the over consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Also, if you are currently a smoker, you will recover more quickly if you quit, not to mention the additional general health benefits.

Contact Aesthetic Dental Center of Bergen County

Do you require treatment with endodontics? Or would you like to receive more information or schedule a consultation? If so, we encourage you to contact Aesthetic Dental Center of Bergen County today.