Root Canal in Forked River
One of the most painful dental emergencies you can have involves severe infection of the tooth pulp. This happens when your tooth suffers extensive damage, to the extent that it breaks through the hard outer tooth covering (enamel) and reaches the tooth pulp where the nerves and blood vessels are located. An infected tooth pulp is extremely painful to cope with, and usually needs urgent intervention to prevent the infection from spreading. There are two ways to deal with this problem: tooth removal or root canal therapy.
The pulp is primarily used to nourish cells within the tooth and promote tooth development during childhood, and plays no role in adult teeth. So it can be removed through root canal therapy to save the tooth without any serious repercussions. For most patients with extensive tooth decay, a severely infected nerve chamber, or severe tooth damage caused by trauma, Dr. Sam Khammar will likely recommend root canal treatment to save the tooth and avoid extraction.
Endodontic treatment allows you to save a severely damaged or infected tooth that would otherwise have to be extracted. Saving the tooth has many advantages, including:
- Maintaining your natural appearance and smile
- Normal biting force and sensation
- Prevents drifting of adjacent teeth into gaps that could cause misaligned bite from missing teeth
- Prevents loss of jawbone volume and density from missing teeth
- Efficient chewing
- Protects other teeth from excessive strain or wear
- You continue to eat the foods you like
- Limits the need for ongoing dental work
- Lifetime longevity
What to expect
You may need root canal therapy if:
- Your tooth is sensitive to hot and cold foods
- You experience throbbing pain while biting
- You have severe decay or injury that infects the bone
If you’re a good candidate for root canal, Dr. Khammar will remove the infected or damaged pulp, clean the cavity, and then fill it with a special material that helps to strengthen the tooth structure and prevent further damage.
The procedure is performed under anesthesia. The pulp cavity is opened up for removal of the unhealthy vessels, and then cleaned, enlarged, and shaped in preparation for the filling material. The canals are filled and sealed. If the tooth is severely weakened, a metal post may be added for structural support or to retain the filling material. A temporary filling is used to seal the tooth, and a porcelain or gold crown added to strengthen the tooth.
Restore your Tooth in Only One Visit
To learn more about root canal therapy, please contact our office in Forked River, NJ to schedule an appointment.
