Root Canal Treatment in Union City, NJ

An infected tooth can be extremely painful. Fortunately, there is a procedure that can provide you relief from this distressing condition. Root canal treatment is among the most common dental procedures, preventing the spread of infection while saving the affected tooth whenever possible. When the residents of Union City, NJ, need root canal treatment, they can count on Diana Rodriguez, DMD, at Union City Mini Dental Implants for quality care.

What Is a Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is a routine dental procedure that’s performed over 15 million times each year. The procedure is so widespread because it’s an incredibly effective way to halt advanced tooth decay and infection without having to lose the affected tooth.

As its name suggests, the procedure involves removing tissue from inside the root canals. Inside the hard enamel and dentin layers of your tooth is soft pulp that can easily become infected and inflamed. There is also pulp and nerve tissue inside teeth roots, in an opening called the root canal.

When a tooth becomes seriously infected or at high risk of developing an infection, removing the pulp and nerve tissue is often the best approach. A root canal treatment removes that tissue from the interior of the tooth, including within the root canals.

When Is Root Canal Therapy Necessary?

A root canal will be necessary if the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected. This is the only option to eliminate infection inside of a tooth while still keeping the tooth. Once bacteria have reached the inside of a tooth, they’re essentially there for good unless the infected tissue is removed. The only other alternative is extracting the tooth entirely.

If you’re experiencing tooth pain that won’t go away, you could be dealing with an infection. The infection can also cause swollen gums, tooth discoloration, and increased sensitivity. If severe pain simply stops one day, that can mean that the infection has progressed far enough to destroy the nerve tissue, and the need for treatment is urgent.

Root canal treatment isn’t only reserved for when an infection has already progressed. The treatment is also often used to prevent infection from happening in the first place. If you have suffered a severely chipped or cracked tooth, you could need a root canal treatment.

When a chip or crack is deep enough to expose the pulp, then you will likely need treatment. Bacteria will have entered the pulp and will continue to grow and multiply even if the damage to the enamel and dentin is repaired.

Having a root canal treatment at the time of the damage is often the most prudent option. It makes planning an overall treatment plan and achieving a favorable outcome much more straightforward. It can also save you the trouble of developing a painful infection months later only to require treatment in any case.

Why Is Root Canal Treatment So Important?

Root canal treatment provides an alternative to simply extracting infected teeth. In almost every situation, retaining a natural tooth is the best outcome. By saving your natural teeth, you can enjoy improved long-term oral health and the natural appearance and functionality of your teeth.

If an infected tooth is extracted, other teeth may shift into the gap and cause a wide range of issues. Filling the gap left by the missing tooth would require a dental implant or dental bridge, both of which are more complex procedures than having a root canal treatment.

Doing nothing when a tooth is infected can have serious consequences. Infection can spread from tooth to tooth. If you don’t seek out treatment, you could find yourself requiring even further intervention.

If you’re dealing with lasting tooth pain or other signs of infection, the best path forward is to visit Dr. Rodriguez and Union City Mini Dental Implants to find out what’s wrong. If it is an infection, then a root canal treatment will likely be the most suitable treatment option.

Your Root Canal Therapy Explained

Your root canal treatment can vary depending on the severity of the infection and a variety of individual factors. 

Dr. Rodriguez will develop a treatment plan to address your unique needs at Union City Mini Dental Implants. Some patients who come in with the symptoms of an infection may have additional dental issues or require further treatment.

At Union City Mini Dental Implants, we have the latest imaging technology to ensure that we provide an accurate diagnosis. This ensures that you’re getting the treatment you really need to provide the best outcome.

If root canal treatment is required, the procedure will be carried out in either one or two appointments, depending on the specifics of your case. The treatment itself can last between thirty minutes to an hour and a half.

Local anesthesia is typically enough to keep patients comfortable during the procedure. Sedation may be used in complex cases or in patients who struggle with dental anxiety. Union City Mini Dental Implants has both nitrous oxide and conscious oral sedation available.

Dr. Rodriguez will create an opening in the top of the tooth through which to remove the pulp. She uses special instruments to remove the tissue from within the tooth and the root canals. After that, the interior of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected.

The root canals themselves are filled with a special dental material designed for tight, narrow spaces. The remainder of the tooth is filled with the same type of material used for everyday dental fillings. In some cases, you may require a dental crown. In others, the filling material itself provides an effective surface for the tooth.

If you do need a crown, Union City Mini Dental Implants provides custom crowns that match the natural appearance of your teeth. You’ll be given a temporary filling to protect your tooth while the crown is prepared and will have another appointment for the placement.

Diana Rodriguez & Associates – A Higher Standard of Care

When you choose Union City Mini Dental Implants for your dental needs, you’ll receive the care and attention to detail needed to provide you with the best results for your unique case.

Dr. Rodriguez understands the needs of her patients and carries out root canal treatments and other procedures to ensure long-term oral health, comfort, and confidence in their smiles. She has spent nearly 20 years upholding this high standard of care.

Don’t Delay Your Root Canal Therapy. Contact us Today!

If you’re dealing with the symptoms of infection or have suffered major physical damage to a tooth, you shouldn’t hesitate to seek out treatment. You don’t have to live in pain, and you can avoid incurring long-term oral health consequences with root canal treatment.

Contact Union City Mini Dental Implants today for a free consultation with Diana Rodriguez, DMD, to get the essential dental treatment you need.