Root Canal Treatment – Hackettstown, NJ

We Can Save & Relieve Hurting Teeth

Your teeth are made up of three layers: the protective outer enamel, the second layer of sensitive dentin, and an inner pulp layer that contains components commonly referred to as the “nerve” of the tooth. A deep cavity, traumatic injury, or tooth fracture can make the canal susceptible to bacterial infection, which can kill the pulp, stimulate increased blood flow, and create painful pressure within the tooth. If you come in during the early stages of this dental damage, Dr. Kakkar and his team at Skylands Dental of New Jersey may be able to save the tooth with root canal treatment at our Hackettstown, NJ dental office.

Why Choose Skylands Dental of New Jersey for Root Canal Treatment?

  • Experienced Dentist with a Gentle Touch
  • Precise Treatment Planning with CT/Cone Beam Scanner
  • Same-Day Appointments for Patients in Pain

What Is a Root Canal?

Model tooth used to explain root canal treatment

Endodontic treatment, better known as root canal, is an emergency dentistry procedure that’s necessary when a tooth’s damage or decay reaches the inner layer of the tooth. The procedure is performed by removing the nerve and filling the root canal before restoring the tooth with a crown. It is especially vital that back teeth (molars and premolars) be protected with crowns as root canal-treated teeth become brittle and are more prone to fracture. The goal of a root canal is to preserve the remaining healthy tooth structure and prevent the need for tooth extraction.

Why Root Canal Treatment?

Woman with toothache before root canal treatment

Maintaining your natural tooth is always better than replacing it with an artificial one, and often a root canal is the only way to save a damaged or decayed tooth. Thankfully, root canal treatment is successful approximately 95% of the time. With proper at-home and in-office dental care, your restored tooth should last a lifetime. A root canal will also relieve toothache and dental sensitivity, restoring full oral health and function.

How Is Root Canal Treatment Performed?

Dentist performing root canal treatment

Root canals have a bad reputation for being painful. However, the treatments are relatively comfortable, and most patients experience immediate relief from their toothache and dental sensitivity following the procedure. We begin by numbing the area around the damaged tooth. Then, a small access hole is drilled from the top of the tooth into the pulp layer. We carefully extract the damaged pulp and nerve tissue. We thoroughly cleanse inside the tooth, removing any infection or decay. The soft pulp and nerve tissues are replaced by similar, biocompatible material. The access hole into the tooth is resealed, and in most cases, a dental crown is placed to protect the treated tooth.

What Should I Expect After Root Canal Treatment?

Woman smiling at dentist after root canal treatment

After a root canal procedure, you may experience some minor discomfort or swelling for the first 48 hours. When this happens, over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses are typically adequate to reduce pain and inflammation. If you continue to experience severe pain or swelling, please call our team right away. You may need to receive further treatment to remove the infection and restore the damaged tooth.