Red Bank Root Canals
Restore Infected & Damaged Teeth
If you have a toothache in Red Bank, you may have an infected tooth. Pain and discomfort in a tooth is always an indicator that something’s wrong, and you should get help from experienced dentists like Dr. Michael Santo, Dr. Miles Santo, and Dr. Katelyn Domingues right away. At Santo Dental Group, we work diligently to ensure root canal therapy for infected teeth is as comfortable for our patients as possible. Contact us now to schedule your appointment right away.
What Is A Root Canal?
A root canal is a very common dental procedure that’s used to treat dental infections by removing infected material from the inside of your tooth. Tooth infections usually happen when a large cavity destroys the outer layer of your tooth, exposing the vulnerable, blood vessel and nerve-filled pulp inside the tooth. This can also happen if an accident or injury cracks or breaks the tooth.
When this happens, the pulp will become infected. Over time, it will start to die, and this will eventually lead to the death of the tooth itself. Root canals are used to restore the tooth.
To perform a root canal, your Red Bank dentist at Santo Dental Group will begin by cleaning the tooth and numbing the area. After they drill a small opening in the top of your tooth, they will remove decayed enamel from the outside of the tooth. Through the opening, they will use specialized dental tools to gently remove decayed material from inside your tooth all the way down into the canals.
Once the infection is removed, the tooth will be cleaned and sanitized to eliminate any remaining bacteria, and then filled with a biocompatible material called “gutta-percha.” This strengthens the interior of your tooth by replacing the extracted pulp. Finally, a filing is placed or the tooth is covered with a dental crown. This protects it from any future damage.
Does It Hurt To Get A Root Canal?
No, it’s a common misconception that root canal therapy is painful. In truth, it’s the presence of infection that hurts. Your mouth will be completely numb throughout your entire appointment, and despite what popular culture might have you believe, modern root canals are minimally-invasive and can be performed without discomfort to the patient.
Your tooth may feel a bit sore and tender after your treatment at our Red Bank dental office due to the irritation of nerves and gum tissue near the treatment site, but this will fade. And, even if you do experience a bit of soreness, this is much less intense and painful compared to the pain of an untreated toothache, so a root canal is always the best way to get help with tooth pain and discomfort.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From A Root Canal?
Recovering from a root canal doesn’t take any time at all! Unlike a procedure such as a dental implant or a tooth extraction, root canal therapy is non-invasive and doesn’t require any stitches, special dietary considerations, or time off work or school. Instead, you’ll simply be sent home after your procedure, and can get back to your normal routine right away.
To take care of your mouth, just brush and floss properly. If you’re wearing a temporary crown, your Red Bank dentist will also give you instructions on how to care for it and how to avoid dislodging it until your permanent crown can be applied in a few weeks. Suspect you may need a root canal? Give our office a call at (732) 530-1003 today.