Root Canal Therapy – Brick Township, NJ
Relieve Tooth Pain
Through Restoration
Does drinking iced tea or hot coffee have you agonizing in pain? Maybe one of your teeth has simply been hurting constantly for a while now. In either case, it would seem you are dealing with an infection inside the dental pulp – the bundle of nerve endings located at the center of your tooth. Since this area is so sensitive, it can cause discomfort to the degree that it interferes with your daily life. Hope is not lost, however, because here at Nu Dental Brick we want nothing more than to relieve your tooth pain through restoration and give you a reason to smile once again. Contact us so we can get you back on track with root canal therapy in Brick Township!
Why Choose Nu Dental Brick for Root Canal Therapy?
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Sedation Options for
Stress-Free Procedures -
Convenient Evening
Dental Office Hours Available -
Same-Day Appointments
for Emergencies
Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?
The most common indication of the need for a root canal is a severe, persistent toothache. However, that is certainly not the only symptom to look for. Other signs you might need a root canal include:
- Extreme, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold foods or beverages
- Sharp pain when biting down
- Dark discoloration of a tooth
- Swelling or redness of the gums surrounding a tooth
- A pimple-like bump on the gums near a tooth
As soon as you notice any of these symptoms, contact our team. We’ll get you in for an emergency appointment with Dr. Gizachew ASAP.
The Root Canal Process
The term “root canal” gets a bad rap, but this procedure is actually painless. In fact, by removing the infected nerve of the tooth, a root canal is designed to relieve pain. Plus, your emergency dentist in Brick Township will numb your mouth with a local anesthetic beforehand so you will remain comfortable throughout the process.
We will begin by using special instruments to access the inner chambers of the tooth and remove the pulp that’s triggering your pain. After sanitizing the area, we’ll refill it with a synthetic gutta-percha material to retain the tooth’s shape. The next step is to seal and protect the tooth by placing a temporary dental crown. As your mouth heals, the area around the tooth might feel a bit sore and tender.
A few weeks later, we will see you at our dental office. Then, we’ll switch out your temporary crown for a permanent one. At that point, the underlying tooth should be fully protected. You’ll be able to use it as you normally would – bring on that cup of coffee!
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
While replacement options like dental implants definitely have their benefits for your smile, preserving your natural tooth should always be the primary goal. If you hesitate to get a root canal when you need one, the infection might progress to the point of no return and your tooth will have to be extracted entirely. Removing and replacing a tooth is a much more complex, time-consuming, and wallet-draining venture than root canal therapy.
In addition to saving your natural tooth, root canal therapy has other benefits:
- Virtually pain-free procedure – Thanks to the advanced dental technology we use, getting a root canal is about as comfortable as the process for an ordinary filling.
- High success rate – The vast majority of root canal patients retain their treated tooth for decades, if not the rest of their lives.
- Aesthetically pleasing results – After your root canal, your tooth will be restored with a custom-made dental crown that seamlessly blends in with the rest of your smile.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
If you’re experiencing a severely damaged or infected tooth, then you’ll likely need to undergo root canal therapy to save it. While the procedure may be essential for preserving your oral health, it’s important to know what to expect from the overall cost of the treatment. The amount you’ll end up paying will depend on several factors that can vary from person to person. Our team will be able to walk you through the process and determine a more precise price estimate during your initial consultation. Until then, here are a few factors to consider about the cost of root canal therapy in Brick Township.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
The only way to predict the overall price of your root canal treatment is to conduct a thorough assessment of your oral situation. Our team will consider several things when determining the cost, including:
- The location of the tooth – Since your molars have more roots than your front teeth, it’ll typically cost more to perform a root canal on them.
- The complexity of the treatment – The more complicated the case, the more likely we’ll need to bring a specialist in, which will require a higher upfront cost.
- Additional treatments – After getting a root canal, many patients may end up receiving restorations like dental crowns to strengthen and protect the tooth, increasing the overall price.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
Some people might assume that simply removing a severely damaged or infected tooth can get rid of the problem altogether. However, there isn’t anything simple about tooth extractions, as you’ll end up needing to consider replacing the missing tooth with a restoration, such as a dental bridge or dental implant. Factor in the adjustments or replacements every several years and you’ll end up having to pay way more than you would’ve if you opted for root canal therapy from the start. Preserving your tooth instead of extracting it can be beneficial to both your smile and your wallet!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?
Since root canals are considered essential dental procedures, they’ll most likely receive coverage from dental insurance companies. That said, providers can vary from patient to patient, so you might expect your policy to cover anywhere between 50-80% of the cost of treatment after you’ve met your annual deductible. Be sure to verify the details of your plan with your company before committing to anything. You can also speak with our friendly and knowledgeable team so we can help you navigate your policy and maximize your benefits.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
Even if you don’t currently have insurance, it doesn’t mean you can’t explore alternative financing options. Our team understands the importance of affording necessary dental care, and the last thing we want is for you to go without the treatments you need. That’s why we’re proud to offer in-house membership plans that can give you significant discounts on all services, including root canal therapy. We’re also partnered with CareCredit which can help break up the price of your procedure into monthly installments that have little to no interest!
Root Canal FAQs
You’ve likely heard of all the unpleasant myths and rumors surrounding root canals. However, the procedure is actually not as bad as you may think! It’s a largely beneficial treatment that many people claim is no more uncomfortable than a standard filling. Of course, it’s still completely normal to feel a bit nervous if you have an upcoming root canal in Brick Township. To help ease your nerves, we’ve decided to answer some frequently asked questions below. Should you not find the answers you’re looking for, feel free to contact our team for personal assistance!
How Much Pain Is Normal After a Root Canal?
While the root canal procedure itself shouldn’t hurt, you may experience mild discomfort and soreness over the first few days following your treatment. These side effects are completely normal and occur after the numbness wears off. Fortunately, you should be able to easily manage it by taking over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. During your recovery, you should avoid chewing hard or sticky foods as it can worsen your pain. If your discomfort persists or becomes severe after a few days, contact your dentist in Brick Township right away for help.
Can I Eat Before a Root Canal?
It depends! If you’re receiving dental sedation for your root canal, you may be asked to fast for a few hours beforehand. It’ll help lower the risk of nausea caused by the sedative. Otherwise, it’s strongly encouraged that you eat a healthy meal at least a couple of hours before your procedure since you probably won’t be able to afterward. Make sure you avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours before your treatment as it could negatively interact with the local anesthetic used to numb your mouth.
How Long Do Root Canals Last?
Root canals have an incredibly high success rate. In many cases, teeth treated with root canal therapy are able to provide full chewing function for several years or sometimes even a lifetime. Of course, the exact lifespan of your root canal will depend on multiple factors including the extent of damage to the tooth and how much time has elapsed between placing the temporary and permanent crown or filling. You can help your root canal last as long as possible by diligently following post-op instructions and practicing good oral hygiene.
Are Root Canals Safe During Pregnancy?
According to the American Dental Association and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, root canals are perfectly safe to perform during pregnancy. Modern shielding techniques can help minimize the risk of harm to a developing fetus. Additionally, local anesthetics should not pose a risk to the baby. The best time for a pregnant woman to schedule a root canal is during the second trimester, mainly because the first is considered too risky and you may feel uncomfortable in the third. Antibiotics may also be necessary to help lower the risk of infection spreading to the baby.