Root Canal Specialist
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Sunny Smile Dentistry
Marzena Zachwieja, DDS
General Dentist located in Old Bridge, NJ
A root canal may not be something to look forward to, but sometimes they’re necessary if you have an infection or injury to your tooth. At Sunny Smile Dentistry in Old Bridge, New Jersey, you can be sure that Marzena Zachwieja, DDS, and her team will make you as comfortable as possible for this procedure, and it will be done in a safe and effective way. Call for an appointment, or schedule one today using the online booking tool.
Root Canal
Why might I need a root canal?
While your teeth might be hard on the outside, on the inside they contain soft tissue and nerves. If you injure your tooth, such as by getting a deep crack in it, or have a cavity, the inner tissue can become infected.
If the infection isn’t treated, it can spread to affect your jawbone and cause swelling and pain in your gums. Eventually, your entire tooth may need to be removed.
In a root canal, the infected inner tissue of the tooth is cleaned out and the empty space is filled with a sealant. This allows you to keep the tooth while getting rid of the infection. Removing a tooth can cause the rest of your teeth to move due to the empty space, and may make it hard to chew or clean your teeth.
How is a root canal performed?
First, Dr. Zachwieja takes an X-ray to make sure the infection hasn’t spread to your jaw. She applies anesthetic to the area to make sure it’s numb.
She then drills a small hole in your tooth and cleans out the inner tissue and nerve to get rid of the infection. Dr. Zachwieja then applies a rubber-like sealant to fill your empty tooth.
In some cases, you may need to wait a week to have the tooth filled and sealed. In this situation, Dr. Zachwieja gives you a temporary filling.
If you have an infection, she may apply medicine to the cavity to get rid of it. At your second appointment, Dr. Zachwieja removes the temporary filling and seals the tooth permanently. If the tooth was damaged or decayed, you may need a crown (artificial tooth) or filling to make it look normal.
While root canals are famous for being painful, most patients actually say that they don’t hurt any more than any other procedure, such as getting a filling.
How long will a root canal procedure take?
Usually, a root canal is done over one or two appointments, and last around 90 minutes per tooth each time.
Directly after the procedure, the area will be numb for around two to four hours. Your tooth may be sensitive for the first few days, and Dr. Zachwieja may recommend over-the-counter pain medication.
If the pain lasts for longer than a few days, be sure to check in with her to make sure your gums are healing well.
Call Sunny Smile Dentistry or use online booking to schedule a root canal consultation today.
