
Dr. Ian Jay Langer D.M.D.
Endodontist | Endodontics
140 Saint Paul Street Westfield NJ, 07090About
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
Peptic ulcer?
I have not prescribed any opioids/narcotics in years. If your dentist prescribed it, I cannot comment or contradict his judgement as I have no health history on you nor have I ever examined you. If you lack confidence, see an endodontist for evaluation, 2nd opinion and treatment. Good Luck. READ MORE
Root canal re-treatment - swollen cheek and gum bump?
Retreatment often takes time to heal. That's why retreatment is frequently done in more than one visit. First visit to open the tooth and remove the old root canal filling and medicate the tooth and place a temporary filling. After a week or two depending on the infection if it is pain free and infection free, the tooth can be then sealed with a permanent filling in the canals and then you would go back to your dentist to restore the tooth. Swelling once treatment starts, can be due to the infection acting up, but also can be inflammation, the body's healing process acting up. Antiinflammatories are good for inflammation and antibiotics might be appropriate for infection. Definitely call your endodontist to discuss your treatment. Good Luck. READ MORE
What anesthesia is used for a root canal?
There are many different anesthetics, some short acting, others long acting Some with epinephrine, and some without. It is your endodontist's choice and preference. You should really ask them. Good Luck. READ MORE
How long after root canal retreatment does it hurt?
Often no pain to some soreness the first day, a little ibuprofen can take care of it. Sometimes several days, especially eating on it. Sometimes days without end. If there is more than a few days of light pain, especially when eating or even closing your teeth, then it usually has a problem with the bite being too high. A 2 minute appointment to shave down the bite usually takes care of it. Be careful eating so you don't fracture the tooth.. Good Luck READ MORE
Is root canal treatment painful?
Root canal treatment should be no worse than a filling. Once you are numbed up, there should be no pain. If the nerve is already dead, you shouldn't even need to be numbed up, by why take chances. Sometimes, the nerve is so badly damaged that it requires additional anesthesia. Even less frequently, you could have a hot tooth, so badly damaged nerve (not sleeping, constant pain, etc) that it won't get numbed up at all. Anti-inflammatories before treatment may help, but your endodontist (root canal specialist) is trained to deal with these extreme cases. Bottom line, don't worry, it isn't as bad as the horror stories make it out to be. Good Luck READ MORE
Can a root canal cause tooth damage?
Generally no. The tooth already has damage. That is why the root canal treatment is needed. Because the tooth is weak or weaker, a crown is often needed after the root canal treatment. Good Luck. READ MORE
What to avoid before an endo treatment?
Before treatment, the obvious, eat nothing hot or cold if it hurts, Don't eat on it if it hurts, avoid hard foods (icecubes, unpopped popcorn kernels, rock candy, stale bagels, hard/pver-cooked pizza crust, etc if the tooth is wake and fracturing. No eating/drinking anything at least 6 hours before if having nitrous oxide (Laughing Gas). Good Luck READ MORE
Do you get the crown on the same day as the root canal?
I don't usually recommend a crown the same day, but to wait perhaps 2 weeks to give the tooth time to settle down and heal, and have no pain. If a crown goes on while there is still pain and it continues, what is the source of pain? The root canal? Post? Crown? If it is the root canal, then if your dentist wants to reopen it, say goodbye to the post and crown. If it si pain free before the post and crown and then 2 weeks later, you get a crown and pain develops, then the pain is probably from the crown. Good Luck. READ MORE
Can a tooth abscess be fixed with a root canal?
Often it can be, depending on if it is because of the root canal. If it is a gum abscess, then you would need periodontal treatment, sometimes with the root canal too. If it is fractured causing your abscess, then it usually can not be saved. Good Luck. READ MORE
Should I get a crown after a root canal?
Most teeth are in bad shape and broken down and decayed which is why they needed the root canal in the first place. After root canal, there is less tooth there. That is why most teeth need posts, then crowns after root canal. Additionally, what you have is weak, and a crown is needed to protect the teeth from fracturing. Your dentist is best to tell you what you should do once they see what you have left. 99% of the time, a crown is best for you. Again, check with your dentist. Good Luck. READ MORE
What can I eat after a root canal procedure?
You can eat anything you want, but if it is hard, chew on the other side. The tooth is weak and can fracture and then you lose the tooth. No nuts, icecubes, unpopped popcorn kernels, hard pizza crusts, stale bagels, rock candy etc. Good Luck READ MORE
How many days after root canal can I smoke?
Smoking will dry out the mouth in addition to causing cancers. Dry mouth leads to decay. If you don't wish to get decay or cancer or other health related problems, don't smoke. Or don't waste money on your teeth because they will get decay and break down. Sorry for the sarcasm, but I cannot tell you when to smoke. You shouldn't. Good Luck READ MORE
Can a root canal tooth still hurt?
Sorry to hear it. Pain can come from multiple things. A severe infection that did not respond to the original treatment, a missed canal, a not fully cleaned out canal, reinfection, fracture, the bite can be off, non-tooth related: gum problems, TMJ problems, trauma, recurrent decay, referred pain from another tooth, and more. See your endodontist for re-evaluation of the problem. Good Luck, READ MORE
Can a root canal cause tooth damage?
The tooth is already damaged, hence the need for root canal treatment. After the root canal, a crown is usually needed. Otherwise the tooth can fracture just by eating on it. If not restored, if the tooth fractures, you can lose the tooth. Good Luck READ MORE
How long will my root canal pain last?
Pain will vary. Sometimes the one day only, and other times, weeks or never goes away. More than a day or two, and advil isn't helping, if there is no slow improvement, then a call to your dentist or endodontist is appropriate. Sometimes there are missed roots or incompletely cleaned out roots or sometimes the bite is off (too high - most frequent and easiest problem to correct). See your endodontist for follow up. Good Luck READ MORE
Can I use saltwater rinse after a root canal?
It should be okay to rinse with warm salt water after root canal therapy, unless you are on a salt restricted diet. Good Luck READ MORE
Can I get a filling after root canal?
It depends on how much tooth is left and how strong it is. 99% of the time, crowns are needed. Teeth are weaker and if not restored properly, will fracture and be lost. Ask your dentist for their advice as they will know the condition of your tooth. Good Luck. READ MORE
Can I drink alcohol after a root canal procedure?
Yes, if there is no contraindication due to meds you are on, not driving or operating heavy machinery and are over 21 years of age. Good Luck. READ MORE
Can you floss after a root canal?
Yes you may floss. Remember, you don't have to floss all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep. Good Luck. READ MORE
How painful is a root canal procedure?
Relatively painless once you are numbed up. If you wait until it hurts, and the pain is worsening and you still delay such that you are awake nights unable to sleep due to pain, it will be more difficult to get perfectly numb and may develop a "hot tooth", a tooth so damaged and painful it is nearly impossible to sedate or numb up. About 10% of my patients just doze off in the chair while I am working. 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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Nearby Providers
- Dr. Paul Benjamin Langer DDS522 EAST BROAD ST WESTFIELD NJ 07090
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