Dr. Ian Jay Langer D.M.D.
Endodontist | Endodontics
140 Saint Paul Street Westfield NJ, 07090Rating
5/5
About
Dr. Ian Langer is an endodonist practicing in Westfield, NJ. Dr. Langer is a specialist dentist, focusing on tooth pain, root canals and other issues related to the interior part of the tooth. Endodonists can diagnose problems and perform procedures to fix them. Treatment from an endodonist can often save a diseased tooth. Root canal treatment is one of the most common procedures performed by an endodonist.
Education and Training
Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dental Medicine DMD 1983
Board Certification
Internal MedicineAmerican Board of Internal MedicineABIM
Provider Details
Dr. Ian Jay Langer D.M.D.'s Expert Contributions
What happens to teeth after a root canal?
After the root canal treatment, the tooth is weaker from the decay, so in most instances, it will require a crown. Until then, you must be careful not to fracture the tooth. Do brush and floss. READ MORE
What type of anesthesia is used for a root canal?
Typically, it would be the same analgesic as for a filling. READ MORE
How long does it take for amoxicillin to work for a tooth infection?
Antibiotics usually take 2 days to start working to control the infection, not cure it. If the tooth has an infected root canal, it will not be cured until the root canal is done. Best to see your endodontist as soon as possible for the root canal treatment. If the cause of the infection isn't removed, the infection can return. If antibiotics cured the root canal infection, there would be no need for root canal treatment. READ MORE
How do I know if my tooth abscess is spreading?
Any infection will spread if left untreated. You should see your dentist or endodontist (root canal specialist) as soon as possible to evaluate the abscess and treat the infection and save the tooth. Good luck. READ MORE
How should you recover from a root canal?
This varies from individual to individual. Some people go golfing or fishing, others go shopping. Some stay home with a glass of wine and tell the spouse and kids to get their own dinner. Some want to be left alone in front of the TV and play up the suffering. Most just go right back to work, or whatever they do. Since root canal is generally painless and recovery not bad, just 2 ibuprofen before the anesthetic can wear off, and they are fine. Yes, some people do have issues, most commonly if the bite if off, in which case, a quick call to your dentist for 5 minutes to adjust the bite will take care of it. It really should not be worse than a filling. Of course, if treatment has been delayed and you have a bad infection (what is a good infection?) it may be more sore, and sometimes the body will overreact with severe pain or swelling. This is why we have phones. Call your dentist and they will help you. Don't sit around and suffer, and don't wait around for the pain to start! You may never have any pain. Your endodontist can tell you more accurately what to expect. GOOD LUCK. READ MORE
Is it ok to get a crown without a root canal?
Generally speaking, you do not always need a root canal before a crown, but you almost always need the crown after root canal treatment. It depends on how close to the nerve you are, how healthy the nerve is, and perhaps location of the tooth, how much tooth is left (enough to support a crown?), if the nerve is damaged, or if there is not much good tooth present, then the root canal would be advisable. If the nerves are unhealthy or dead, you should have the root canal. If it is close to the nerve, do you risk pain and root canal after the crown is placed? Talk to your dentist or an endodontist (root canal specialist) get an exam and evaluation for peace of mind. Good luck. READ MORE
Do you have pain after a root canal?
There should be minimal discomfort under most circumstances. If you come in with a severe infection that has been brewing for a while, there can be significant pain. If the bite is off, there can be significant pain. If canals are not fully cleaned out or are missed, there can be pain. Most often, patients just need a little ibuprofen (over-the-counter) for discomfort. Your endodontist will determine the amount of pain to be expected. Quite often there is no pain. Good luck. READ MORE
Why are root canals so painful?
Most root canals are painless. You are numbed up like for a filling and usually feel no pain while being treated. Afterward, it can be sore or tender, but that usually settles down. Yes, some people do have pain for a variety of reasons including: waiting for the infection to be so severe that it won't get perfectly numb, so inflamed it won't get numb (hot tooth), the bite off from inflammation afterward, looking for sympathy from friends and family, looking to avoid work, waiting to start until they haven't slept in days (or nights), not taking or being able to take anti-inflammatories or other prescriptions. Also, not finding all the canals, not getting down all the canals, complicated teeth, not following through on appointments, listening to horror stories from friends and imagining the worst, listening to friends rather than their endodontist (root canal specialist), not following directions. Being that every case is different, don't assume the worst beforehand. Perhaps see an endodontist instead of your general dentist if it is a difficult tooth or if you are more nervous that it will be painful or a problem. If pain develops, DON'T WAIT to call, it is easier to deal with the pain earlier rather than waiting for it to increase. READ MORE
How long does a root canal take?
The time is quite variable, depending on many factors including: which tooth, how many canals, ease of access, how long can you keep your mouth open, how tight are the canals, can all canals be found, is this a retreatment (redo) of an old root canaled tooth, how bad is the infection, does it require surgery too, treated by a general dentist or an endodontist (specialist), etc. I have heard of single rooted teeth being treated in 15 minutes (usually those are the ones being redone) and others may be treated in multiple visits of 1 hour duration over a period of months. Bottom line, it should take as long as necessary to do it right, and not sacrifice quality for speed. Do it right the first time, you don't have to do it over. Better to come back for a second, scheduled appointment rather than come back for an emergency. Your endodontist will be able to give you more specifics after he examines you. Good Luck. READ MORE
Do I need a root canal before a bridge?
If the tooth already needs a root canal (pain or infection), then the root canal should be done first. If there is no pain or infection, but you have deep decay going into the nerve, do the root canal first. If it is a clean tooth, no decay or fillings, then you probably don't need the root canal, but it should be evaluated 1st to be sure (make sure the nerves are alive and healthy and responding normally). The tough question is, if there is no pain or infection but the tooth is being prepared (cut down) for the crown/bridge and it is close to the nerve, tests very weak responses, is calcifying in, do you do the root canal first? I would suggest an evaluation by an endodontist (root canal specialist) to determine the likelihood of a problem developing. If there is a good chance that it will end up with problems, then you do the root canal first, prophylacticly before it becomes a problem. It is easier to do the root canal before you put a crown/bridge on it...easier to see, no suffering or pain or abscess and you don't damage the new crown putting a hole in it which, if it is all porcelain, may shatter and require a new bridge. If you have the attitude that the dentist wants to do an unnecessary root canal just to pay for a new car, then by all means, don't do it. But ask yourself, do you feel lucky? Do you go to AC or Vegas and win? (I tend to lose). Can you risk the pain and abscess and getting a new bridge after just getting this one? Call it an ounce of prevention. Get the consultation from your endodontist and confirm it. READ MORE
How long is the recovery after a root canal?
If treated by an endodontist (root canal specialist), there should be no "recovery time" though I might recommend taking off from work and going shopping to take your mind off the treatment. An alternative is to tell your S.O. to deal with the kids/dog while you recover curled up with a glass of wine and a good book. You get no sympathy if you admit to feeling fine and going right back to your daily routine (which is what most people will do). Sorry for the sarcasm. Seriously, it usually is no different than a filling. Don't worry about it. Good luck. READ MORE
Do I need a root canal?
"Need" is a strong word. You have the options of 1) no treatment and suffer (doesn't make sense but some people put things off), 2) See your endodontist and diagnose the problem which could be root canal, periodontal (gums) fracture, deep treatable decay, or 3) pull the tooth and be done with it (though you ought to replace the tooth under most circumstances). Good luck. READ MORE
Are antibiotics necessary after a root canal?
Usually not. Antibiotics are over-prescribed and patients will have antibiotic-resistant bacteria/infections or develop allergic reactions. If treating the root canal eliminates the infection, why need antibiotics. Some dentists have no confidence in their root canal treatment so they give antibiotics to cover themselves (and the patients). There are some occasions where antibiotics are appropriate: medically compromise patients, severe abscess and swelling, severe infection running a temperature or fever, certain medical conditions requiring premedication. My feeling is, if you can put medication right in the tooth and root canal, why put it in the stomach? The key is fully, properly cleaning out the root canal and sealing it. Your endodontist (root canal specialist) is trained to deal with the serious infections and complicated cases. Good luck. READ MORE
How long does a root canal take?
Root canal treatment should take as long as necessary to do it right. Depending on the tooth, number of roots and canals, extent of the infection, general anatomy (curved, twisted, straight), if the canals appear open or calcified (totally obliterated/blocked out), 1st root canal or a retreatment of a failed root canal....the list goes on. Sometimes it can be done in one visit and sometimes multiple visits. As I say, do it right the first time so you don't have to do it over. 25% (roughly) of my practice I am retreating someone else's work...and I am asked "doc, why does it take 4 visits to redo the root canal? The guy who did it the first time was done in 1/2 an hour." Never time to do it right the first time, so you have to do it over. I would be glad to tell you how many visits it took to treat once we are done, but sadly, I cannot say how many it will take. Your endodontist can deal with more complicated cases easier than a non-specialist and so they should be done quicker...unless they see complications and issues that would be missed by a non-specialist and will take their time to treat it correctly. Good luck. READ MORE
Why do my gums feel inflamed after a root canal?
Not unheard of, but it may be that the bite is off, irritating the gums. You should not be biting on or hitting the root canal'd tooth until it has the crown placed, and even then, if it hits too hard, it would result in pain. There are other possibilities, but the bite is the biggest problem in most instances. Have your endodontist evaluate it. Good luck. READ MORE
Who do I see for my root canal procedure?
Hopefully, an Endodontist (Root Canal Specialist). Most have the equipment for all the procedures, not just the complicated ones. Your endodontist will usually have and should have a surgical microscope to enable them to see things better than with the naked eye or loops. READ MORE
Does tooth pain mean I need a root canal?
Often, but not always. It could be a root canal, periodontal problem, referred pain from the TMJ (temporal-mandibular joint), occlusal trauma, etc. Your endodontist (root canal specialist) will perform and exam and determine the cause of the pain and then it can be treated. READ MORE
How long does a dental filling take?
There is no answer to this question without more information. What kind of filling material, how large a cavity, skill of the dentist. Silver fillings could be done in 15 minutes after being numb, white fillings/bonded fillings a bit longer. Gold foil could be in hours, and inlays - gold or porcelain, in days. Ask your dentist since he knows what he plans on using. READ MORE
What are the treatment options for a tooth cyst?
It would depend on the cause of the cyst. If it is related to the root canal, then root canal treatment or root canal surgery (or both) or extraction. If it is not related to the root canal, then surgery to remove it, decompress it or whatever it takes. Your endodontist should be able to tell you. Good luck. READ MORE
Can a tooth infection go away on its own?
If it is infected from the root canal, you need to see an endodontist (root canal specialist) asap. The pain may go away, but the infection doesn't. If it is a periodontal infection (gums), then it may clear, but really, it should be checked out. Again, the absence of pain does not mean it is healthy. Good luck. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Clinical Assistant Professor of Endodontics University of Pennsylvania Dental School 1985 - 1987
- Clinical Assistant Professor of Endodontics Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dental Medicine 1985 - 1990
- Dental Assisting Consultant - Adviser - Resource Linden (NJ) High School Vo-Tech 1986 - 1993
Professional Memberships
- American Association of Endodontists
- New Jersey Association of Endodontists
- American Dental Association
- New Jersey Dental Association
- Union County Dental Society
- Garden State Dental Study Club
Dr. Ian Jay Langer D.M.D.'s Practice location
Dr. Ian Langer, DMD
140 Saint Paul Street -Westfield, NJ 07090Get Direction
Dr. Ian Langer, DMD
807 N Wood Ave -Linden, NJ 07036Get Direction
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