Do You Need a Root Canal? Here’s How to Tell
A root canal is a common dental procedure that can save your tooth and relieve pain. Many people fear it, but modern dentistry has made root canals quick, effective, and virtually painless. If you’re experiencing dental discomfort, you might be showing signs that you need a root canal. Here are the 7 key warning signs to watch for.
1. Persistent Tooth Pain
If you have constant or severe tooth pain, especially when chewing or applying pressure, it could be a sign of an infected pulp inside your tooth. According to the American Association of Endodontists, this is one of the most common signs you need a root canal.
2. Sensitivity to Hot and Cold
Does your tooth ache after drinking hot coffee or eating ice cream? Lingering sensitivity is a red flag that the nerves inside your tooth may be damaged.
3. Swollen or Tender Gums
Swollen, red, or tender gums near a painful tooth may indicate an infection. Sometimes, a pimple-like bump (dental abscess) appears on the gums, releasing pus and causing bad breath.
4. Deep Decay or Darkening of the Tooth
If a cavity has been left untreated for too long, bacteria can reach the pulp, causing the tooth to darken or turn gray. This is often a sign that the nerve is dying, and a root canal may be needed to save the tooth.
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Serving Monmouth County For More Than 36 Years
I’ve been coming here for about seven years, and they’ve always been professional and reliable. The staff is friendly, and the service is top-notch. Highly recommend!
Dr. Bilow is a wonderful dentist as is his staff. He has been my dentist for fifteen years.
I have been to there office several times and I just love them. The office staff is great!
Dr. Bilow and his staff are fantastic. This is a practice that stays on top of today's best technology and is very professional. The office decor welcomes you and creates a relaxed environment the minute you enter. Every team member is very knowledgeable and makes you feel very comfortable during a procedure. Highly recommend choosing NJ Laser Dentistry for you, your family, and friends.
Highly recommend coming here! I was so impressed by my experience. The office is impeccable, from the waiting room to the exam rooms. In addition, everyone I met was warm and welcoming. Finally the exam/cleaning was thorough, gentle and enjoyable with their ceiling mounted TVs!
NJ Laser Dentistry is wonderful because of the great people and clean facilities. Lindsey who has been there for years is the glue that makes the experience smooth from walking into the door.
I've been going to Dr. Bilow's office for over 20 years. I trust him and his staff (especially Francesca!) for a comfortable, professional and courteous visit.
It's always a pleasure when I am at NJ Dentistry.. everyone is so happy & treats you like family.. they are the Best!
I absolutely love this place.The staff is so nice & professional.The office is impeccable.The Dentists, Hygienists, Dental Assistants are very knowledgeable, compassionate, detail oriented, extremely easy to talk to & answer all questions in detail. The office also has the latest technology in scanning & x-rays(no more disgusting mouth molds I use to do). They make going to the dentist an enjoyable experience & trust me I just had oral surgery there.Highly recommend this practice
Dr Bruce Bilow is the best. His staff is truly the kindest and the utmost group of professionals. Truly thankful and grateful for them all. I highly recommend NJ Laser Dentistry!
A beautiful office! NJ Center for Laser Dentistry is a Friendly, caring, knowledgable and always a very professional staff! My family has been trusting Dr. Bilow with all of dental care for 33 years! Dr. Andrew Gobran and Dr. Pinky Bhavsar are amazing too!
I am so happy that I found an excellent dentist who truly cares about his patients. Everyone in the office is polite and always a kind word. Laser dentistry saved me. No pain and solved my problems.
The team at NJ Laser Dentistry is outstanding. From the moment you enter the practice until the moment you check out it is an extraordinary experience. Dr. Below and his team are professional and caring. I highly recommend this dental team.
I have nothing but amazing words to say about NJ Laser dentistry! Everyone is super freindly and accomidating! As someone who does need extensive dental work done I was left very disheartened by my previous dentist. After finding Laser dentistry I got a consultation for All on four implants with Dr Andrew and he has been absolutely amazing. He answered all my questions and guided me on my options and what my best solutions are. He even gave me his personal number in case I had additional questions and he has always answered when I call. I also had a large infection and few extractions done recently by Andrew to start the process and it was painless. Forever grateful I found this dentist 🙏
Called for tooth sensitivity and was able to see Dr. Andrew within a few hours to help with the pain. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Have been seeing Dr. Andrew for years and can’t say enough good things. Thank you!
My kids and I enjoy our trips to the dentist! The staff make scheduling and appointments so easy. They make sure all information is conveyed and listen to our concerns.
As always the treatment I received whether it is a Dentist or Technician is done with care and concern for the patient, thanks again.
The staff is always professional and friendly. They are sensitive to the patient's condition and show compassion while doing their work.
A wonderful dentist office that will make your experience visiting the dentist enjoyable! Low wait times and very nice staff. Dr. Gobran was kind, attentive, respectful, and provided quality care. Highly recommend this place for everyone, including my own family 🙂
The staff at NJ Laser Dentistry is super friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. In my experience, they’ve gone above and beyond to ensure I get the most out of my appointments and that my health is put before anything else! Dr. Andrew is the best!
NJ Laser Dentistry is outstanding. Dr. Bilow is a superior dentist.All staff are excellent. The atmosphere is so pleasant and refreshing. It is a very clean looking facility. Thank you for taking wonderful care of our teeth. Bless you all! Gina, Tom & Matt Perrine
The absolute best dentist I have ever used.i never would have thought I would be able to get me teeth fixed.They worked with me no hassle and I have almost fixed my entire mouth. I am proud to be a NJ dentistry customer. I know several off them by name when I call they know exactly who I am. They treated like the number one customer every time.I can't thank them enough.You can't go wrong with this place,and I love the TV on the ceiling to keep me occupied while having work done along with the upbeat music,it almost like hanging out with friends.
I always have a great experience with NJ Laser Dentistry. Professional, caring and quality treatment.
Always a pleasant experience at NJ Laser Dentistry. Love my Dentist office.
A great first experience! Francesca was very thorough and gentle with my cleaning. She was able to answer all of my questions and made me feel comfortable. Dr andrew was great as well and helped me make practical decisions. The team there seems very honest and care about their work.Also the women at the front desk were so friendly!
Have been going to this dental practice for many years. It is a lovely office atmosphere with wonderful staff. The quality of work is top notch. Highly recommended.
I have been going to Dr. Bilow of New Jersey laser dentistry for quite a few years. I’ll get the best dental service I’ve ever had in my life. The staff and everyone there are so professional, friendly and compassionate, and I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Bilow he has taken such wonderful care of me all through the years as he is doing so right now, I can’t say strongly enough that if you need any type of dental services call New Jersey laser dentistry, Dr. Bilow and he will be more than happy and able to take care of whatever you need. Outside of that doctor, Bilow is the most compassionate man I might’ve ever met. You will never make a mistake by using his service. He is state of the art and gives the patient amazing results.
I have had my fair share of terrible experiences at dentist offices, so when I was referred to NJ Laser Dentistry from a friend, I thought that anything would be better than what I've experienced and if she has had good experiences, then I should be good too. From my first visit, I felt at such ease. Today, I had a procedure that I've been putting off for awhile and I can honestly say that it was the smoothest and pain-free appointment I have ever had. I usually feel all of the things and just try to get through it, but I was completely content feeling absolutely nothing and watching HGTV until the Dr. said "you're done!" I'm finally in good hands and I saw it from check-in to the hygienists to the doctors. If you're nervous to get back in the dentist's chair, don't be. You're in great hands here.
I'm a newer patient and so far my first few visits have been wonderful. Everyone is so friendly and the hygienists and dentists take their time with you, explain everything and answer all questions. It smells super clean the second you walk in the door and their processes are very modern. It's not just a place to get a checkup, it's a place that's invested in your health and comfort. I'm so happy to have found NJ Laser Dentistry!
My experience as always was comfortable, complete, and the end result professional.I am looking forward to my next visit. How many times do you here that statement.
Very Relaxing Atmosphere. Dr Andrew does excellent work . Cleaning and filling 90 minutes.Could not ask for a better atmosphere. Thanks to everyone at NJ Laser Dentistry !
I had a great dentist visit . Got my teeth cleaned and deplacked if thats a word. So i'm good to go for another four months.
I've been going to Dr Bilow for several years. He's probably the best dentist in the area. He just makes the process as pleasant as possible. The office is modern and the staff is excellent.
Excellent service and professionalism, always on time and provides many treatment options. I have sensitive teeth and they never feel any pain when Dana cleans them. Office is meticulously clean and modern styling. Great practice!
I am the only person I know that loves their dentists! Dr. Andrew and Dr. Pinky, along with wonderful dental hygienist Dana, have been accommodating, gentle, encouraging and professional. My whole family has been seeing the NJ Laser Dentistry for years and we highly recommend the practice.
Love this practice! The dental hygienist is awesome- so patient and gentle. Makes great recommendations and is very knowledgeable.The dentists in the practice are all excellent as well…. And they manage my dental chair anxiety with great pati nice.
Top notch quality care. Pricey but worth it. Dental care is so important - it's one of the things I'm willing to spend on. I followed Dr. Cecere there from his previous practice because he's the absolute BEST - highest level competence and integrity. I even entrusted my sweet, elderly Dad to him. And it turns out the whole practice is great. Including very professional - and nice - reception/ scheduling. Makes going to the dentist not awful at all.
I’ve been coming here for about seven years, and they’ve always been professional and reliable. The staff is friendly, and the service is top-notch. Highly recommend!
Dr. Bilow is a wonderful dentist as is his staff. He has been my dentist for fifteen years.
I have been to there office several times and I just love them. The office staff is great!
Dr. Bilow and his staff are fantastic. This is a practice that stays on top of today's best technology and is very professional. The office decor welcomes you and creates a relaxed environment the minute you enter. Every team member is very knowledgeable and makes you feel very comfortable during a procedure. Highly recommend choosing NJ Laser Dentistry for you, your family, and friends.
Highly recommend coming here! I was so impressed by my experience. The office is impeccable, from the waiting room to the exam rooms. In addition, everyone I met was warm and welcoming. Finally the exam/cleaning was thorough, gentle and enjoyable with their ceiling mounted TVs!
NJ Laser Dentistry is wonderful because of the great people and clean facilities. Lindsey who has been there for years is the glue that makes the experience smooth from walking into the door.
I've been going to Dr. Bilow's office for over 20 years. I trust him and his staff (especially Francesca!) for a comfortable, professional and courteous visit.
It's always a pleasure when I am at NJ Dentistry.. everyone is so happy & treats you like family.. they are the Best!
I absolutely love this place.The staff is so nice & professional.The office is impeccable.The Dentists, Hygienists, Dental Assistants are very knowledgeable, compassionate, detail oriented, extremely easy to talk to & answer all questions in detail. The office also has the latest technology in scanning & x-rays(no more disgusting mouth molds I use to do). They make going to the dentist an enjoyable experience & trust me I just had oral surgery there.Highly recommend this practice
Dr Bruce Bilow is the best. His staff is truly the kindest and the utmost group of professionals. Truly thankful and grateful for them all. I highly recommend NJ Laser Dentistry!
A beautiful office! NJ Center for Laser Dentistry is a Friendly, caring, knowledgable and always a very professional staff! My family has been trusting Dr. Bilow with all of dental care for 33 years! Dr. Andrew Gobran and Dr. Pinky Bhavsar are amazing too!
I am so happy that I found an excellent dentist who truly cares about his patients. Everyone in the office is polite and always a kind word. Laser dentistry saved me. No pain and solved my problems.
The team at NJ Laser Dentistry is outstanding. From the moment you enter the practice until the moment you check out it is an extraordinary experience. Dr. Below and his team are professional and caring. I highly recommend this dental team.
I have nothing but amazing words to say about NJ Laser dentistry! Everyone is super freindly and accomidating! As someone who does need extensive dental work done I was left very disheartened by my previous dentist. After finding Laser dentistry I got a consultation for All on four implants with Dr Andrew and he has been absolutely amazing. He answered all my questions and guided me on my options and what my best solutions are. He even gave me his personal number in case I had additional questions and he has always answered when I call. I also had a large infection and few extractions done recently by Andrew to start the process and it was painless. Forever grateful I found this dentist 🙏
Called for tooth sensitivity and was able to see Dr. Andrew within a few hours to help with the pain. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Have been seeing Dr. Andrew for years and can’t say enough good things. Thank you!
My kids and I enjoy our trips to the dentist! The staff make scheduling and appointments so easy. They make sure all information is conveyed and listen to our concerns.
As always the treatment I received whether it is a Dentist or Technician is done with care and concern for the patient, thanks again.
The staff is always professional and friendly. They are sensitive to the patient's condition and show compassion while doing their work.
A wonderful dentist office that will make your experience visiting the dentist enjoyable! Low wait times and very nice staff. Dr. Gobran was kind, attentive, respectful, and provided quality care. Highly recommend this place for everyone, including my own family 🙂
The staff at NJ Laser Dentistry is super friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. In my experience, they’ve gone above and beyond to ensure I get the most out of my appointments and that my health is put before anything else! Dr. Andrew is the best!
NJ Laser Dentistry is outstanding. Dr. Bilow is a superior dentist.All staff are excellent. The atmosphere is so pleasant and refreshing. It is a very clean looking facility. Thank you for taking wonderful care of our teeth. Bless you all! Gina, Tom & Matt Perrine
The absolute best dentist I have ever used.i never would have thought I would be able to get me teeth fixed.They worked with me no hassle and I have almost fixed my entire mouth. I am proud to be a NJ dentistry customer. I know several off them by name when I call they know exactly who I am. They treated like the number one customer every time.I can't thank them enough.You can't go wrong with this place,and I love the TV on the ceiling to keep me occupied while having work done along with the upbeat music,it almost like hanging out with friends.
I always have a great experience with NJ Laser Dentistry. Professional, caring and quality treatment.
Always a pleasant experience at NJ Laser Dentistry. Love my Dentist office.
A great first experience! Francesca was very thorough and gentle with my cleaning. She was able to answer all of my questions and made me feel comfortable. Dr andrew was great as well and helped me make practical decisions. The team there seems very honest and care about their work.Also the women at the front desk were so friendly!
Have been going to this dental practice for many years. It is a lovely office atmosphere with wonderful staff. The quality of work is top notch. Highly recommended.
I have been going to Dr. Bilow of New Jersey laser dentistry for quite a few years. I’ll get the best dental service I’ve ever had in my life. The staff and everyone there are so professional, friendly and compassionate, and I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Bilow he has taken such wonderful care of me all through the years as he is doing so right now, I can’t say strongly enough that if you need any type of dental services call New Jersey laser dentistry, Dr. Bilow and he will be more than happy and able to take care of whatever you need. Outside of that doctor, Bilow is the most compassionate man I might’ve ever met. You will never make a mistake by using his service. He is state of the art and gives the patient amazing results.
I have had my fair share of terrible experiences at dentist offices, so when I was referred to NJ Laser Dentistry from a friend, I thought that anything would be better than what I've experienced and if she has had good experiences, then I should be good too. From my first visit, I felt at such ease. Today, I had a procedure that I've been putting off for awhile and I can honestly say that it was the smoothest and pain-free appointment I have ever had. I usually feel all of the things and just try to get through it, but I was completely content feeling absolutely nothing and watching HGTV until the Dr. said "you're done!" I'm finally in good hands and I saw it from check-in to the hygienists to the doctors. If you're nervous to get back in the dentist's chair, don't be. You're in great hands here.
I'm a newer patient and so far my first few visits have been wonderful. Everyone is so friendly and the hygienists and dentists take their time with you, explain everything and answer all questions. It smells super clean the second you walk in the door and their processes are very modern. It's not just a place to get a checkup, it's a place that's invested in your health and comfort. I'm so happy to have found NJ Laser Dentistry!
My experience as always was comfortable, complete, and the end result professional.I am looking forward to my next visit. How many times do you here that statement.
Very Relaxing Atmosphere. Dr Andrew does excellent work . Cleaning and filling 90 minutes.Could not ask for a better atmosphere. Thanks to everyone at NJ Laser Dentistry !
I had a great dentist visit . Got my teeth cleaned and deplacked if thats a word. So i'm good to go for another four months.
I've been going to Dr Bilow for several years. He's probably the best dentist in the area. He just makes the process as pleasant as possible. The office is modern and the staff is excellent.
Excellent service and professionalism, always on time and provides many treatment options. I have sensitive teeth and they never feel any pain when Dana cleans them. Office is meticulously clean and modern styling. Great practice!
I am the only person I know that loves their dentists! Dr. Andrew and Dr. Pinky, along with wonderful dental hygienist Dana, have been accommodating, gentle, encouraging and professional. My whole family has been seeing the NJ Laser Dentistry for years and we highly recommend the practice.
Love this practice! The dental hygienist is awesome- so patient and gentle. Makes great recommendations and is very knowledgeable.The dentists in the practice are all excellent as well…. And they manage my dental chair anxiety with great pati nice.
Top notch quality care. Pricey but worth it. Dental care is so important - it's one of the things I'm willing to spend on. I followed Dr. Cecere there from his previous practice because he's the absolute BEST - highest level competence and integrity. I even entrusted my sweet, elderly Dad to him. And it turns out the whole practice is great. Including very professional - and nice - reception/ scheduling. Makes going to the dentist not awful at all.
5. A Cracked or Chipped Tooth
A crack or chip in your tooth can expose the inner nerves, leading to infection. If you’ve had a dental injury, see your dentist to check if a root canal is necessary.
6. Prolonged Toothache That Comes and Goes
Intermittent tooth pain that suddenly disappears may not be a good sign—it could mean that the nerve inside your tooth has died. Without treatment, the infection can spread.
7. A Loose Tooth
An infected tooth may feel loose due to bone loss caused by the infection. If your tooth is moving or shifting, it’s time to seek professional dental care.
Why You Shouldn’t Fear a Root Canal
Many patients fear root canals, but the truth is:
✅ Modern technology makes them painless
✅ They save your natural tooth
✅ The procedure is no worse than getting a filling
✅ It stops infection from spreading