Root Canal Treatment

Dr. DiBenedetto is a top provider of advanced root canal treatment in and around Little Silver, NJ helping patients effectively treat deep tooth decay while preserving their natural teeth. 

 What are root canals?

Root canals are procedures used to treat decay and damage deep in the central pulp portion of the teeth, where nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues are located. The root canal procedure is designed to remove damage and then fill the resulting cavity to help prevent loss of the tooth. After the root canal procedure is performed, a crown is usually placed on top of the tooth to protect it and hide any discoloration that may occur once the central pulp portion is removed.

How can I tell if I need a root canal?

The best way to determine if you need a root canal is to have a dentist evaluate your tooth and take x-rays to see the inner portion of the tooth. Sometimes, a tooth that requires a root canal may not cause many – or any – symptoms. But usually, damaged or decayed tooth pulp causes symptoms like:

• toothache
• tooth pain when the tooth is touched or when biting or chewing
• swollen gums
• extreme sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• infection which may cause pus drainage and a foul taste in the mouth

Can’t I just have my tooth pulled?

Yes, you can, but root canal is generally the preferred approach whenever possible because it preserves the tooth, as well as your bite mechanics. Having a tooth pulled means you’ll need to have a bridge, denture or implant to replace the lost tooth, and those procedures can be more costly. Leaving a gap without a replacement tooth allows the teeth on either side of the gap to start to shift toward the gap, weakening tooth roots and causing the tooth to eventually fall out as well. Root canal therapy is usually the least costly and simplest form of treatment for teeth with deep decay or damage.