Root Canal Therapy

in Chesterfield, NJ

Preserving your smile with endodontic care.

Root canal therapy has quite the bad rap, even though the endodontic treatment is one of the best ways to relieve a toothache without removing your tooth. It offers an excellent solution to keep a tooth that would otherwise need to be removed due to structural damage or infection. Dr. Melanie Lee and our team at Inspire Dental will ensure you are comfortable and at ease with the procedure. We are dedicated to providing you with care that exceeds your expectations.

Pain
Relief

Root canal therapy relieves pain caused by tooth pulp (nerve) inflammation or infection, so you will leave our office feeling better than when you walked in.

Maintaining
Natural Teeth

Root canals help you keep your teeth that would otherwise need to be removed - we believe in maintaining your natural teeth whenever possible.

Avoiding
Tooth Loss

Neglecting to treat an infected tooth can result in tooth loss, which would likely mean more investment in dental care to replace the tooth or treat complications associated with leaving a space in your smile.

Preventing Spread
of Infection

Neglecting to treat an infected tooth can result in the infection spreading to other teeth and even entering the bloodstream, leading to serious medical implications, including the need for hospitalization.

Preserving the
Jawbone Structure

Keeping your natural teeth in place helps reduce the risk of jawbone degeneration, maintaining the integrity of your jawbone and facial structure.

Function and
Durability

A root canal-treated tooth can function like a natural tooth and, with proper care, can last a lifetime.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is a treatment that is often necessary when the pulp tissues inside a tooth become infected or inflamed due to a chip or crack, damaged dental restorations, deep decay, or repeated dental procedures. It involves removing the diseased pulp tissues, cleaning, disinfecting, and sealing the space. We typically place a dental crown to protect the treated tooth.

Despite their reputation, root canals do not cause pain. Removing the infection will help relieve you of the pain you experienced before treatment. So why do root canals evoke such negative feelings? While numbing the tooth helps manage your discomfort during your root canal, you may feel some post-operative pain, which progressively improves after treatment. That said, the pain is not from treatment, but rather, from the tooth nerve infection.

What Are Common Signs That You May Need Root Canal Treatment?

Spontaneous tooth pain
Throbbing tooth pain
Toothache that worsens when you eat
A dark or discolored tooth
A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
Lingering, intense sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
A pimple-like bump on your gums
A sour taste in your mouth

Having any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you need root canal therapy. However, it is important to schedule a consultation. Dr. Melanie will conduct customary testing and a complete evaluation to determine a diagnosis. She will recommend the most conservative solution to restore your smile.

What Can You Expect?

Root canal treatment can be completed in a single visit for most patients. Here is a look at what you can expect:

CBCT Scan

Oftentimes, we use CBCT 3D imaging to better evaluate the affected tooth. The cutting-edge technology captures detailed images of your teeth, jaws, sinuses, and surrounding structures. CBCT scans help assess your root canals, revealing any unusual anatomy or signs of disease. They also help guide treatment planning, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

The Root Canal Procedure

We will start your procedure by numbing your mouth with local anesthesia for your comfort. Next, we will isolate the area with a protective covering- this limits contamination of the disinfecting procedure. We will remove the infected pulp tissues, shape the area, and place a rubber-like material called gutta-percha to seal the internal networks of the tooth. The last step is placing a restoration to occupy space that was made to access the pulp.

After a Root Canal

Most patients experience minimal discomfort after a root canal. In fact, patients that experienced dental pain prior to the procedure typically feel relief afterwards. The tooth may feel sensitive to pressure for a few days, which is no cause for alarm. Avoid chewing on your treated tooth until the final restoration is complete and tenderness resolves. The tooth may become prone to fracture after its pulp is removed, which is why we typically recommend placing a dental crown for protection.

What Can You Expect?

Root canal treatment can be completed in a single visit for most patients. Here is a look at what you can expect:

CBCT Scan

The Root Canal Procedure

After a Root Canal

Why Choose Inspire Dental
for Your Dental Needs?

We listen - you will always feel heard, respected, and valued at our practice.
We know each patient is different - we tailor our services to your unique needs, providing exclusive, custom care.
We always recommend the most conservative treatment options possible to restore healthy, beautiful smiles.
We are different - we never want dentistry to feel like a drag - we work tirelessly to ensure every visit is comfortable and free of stress.

We use cutting-edge technology and advanced equipment, including 2D and 3D digital x-rays and intra-oral cameras.
We offer convenient online features like appointment requests, membership plans, payments, forms, and text messaging.
We work hard to create a comfortable atmosphere - from OSHA compliance to comfort amenities, nitrous oxide sedation, and a patient-centered team - we strive to provide you with the best possible dental experience.