A tooth’s root canal, or pulp chamber, is the space inside your tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. These connect the root of your tooth to the bone and gums, and the dental pulp (soft tissue in the center of the root) receives nourishment from these blood vessels and nerves.
If a tooth’s pulp becomes damaged or infected, root canal treatment can relieve your pain and save your tooth from being extracted. It can also prevent infection from spreading to other teeth, which can lead to serious health problems.
The best Root Canal Specialist in Sarasota FL specializes in this type of procedure, which is often recommended to relieve severe toothaches. We understand that your tooth is an important part of your smile, and we want to help you keep it for as long as possible!
Every root in a tooth has a canal and a small branch that connects to the canal. Some roots may have more than one canal.
Your dentist or endodontist will diagnose if you need a root canal by taking X-rays of your tooth and by looking at the inside of your mouth. They will also determine if you have an abscess, a painful infection that has spread to the tooth’s root.
When you arrive for your appointment, a numbing agent is applied to the area and a rubber dental dam is placed to protect the tooth. Then, a local anesthetic is injected into the gums.
During the treatment, your dentist will remove the infected dental pulp and other decayed tissues from the root canal. This is usually a very painless process.
A special, biocompatible material called gutta-percha is then used to fill and seal the root canals. The tooth is then capped with a crown to cover the root and protect it from further damage.
The tooth is left feeling slightly sore after the procedure, but this pain typically fades over a few days. It’s normal to experience some swelling or a throbbing sensation as the anesthesia wears off, and your dentist will recommend over-the-counter pain medications if needed.
It’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions after the procedure, including staying away from hard or chewy foods and avoiding biting directly on the tooth until it’s fully healed. You should visit your dentist regularly for a checkup and cleaning after a root canal, especially in the first six months.
In most cases, a root canal is successful and your tooth will be restored with a crown. However, if your tooth is damaged too severely or the root canal fails, it’s possible that you’ll need to get a tooth extraction instead.
What’s the cost of a Root Canal?
The cost of a root canal will vary depending on how extensive the damage is. The dentist will also need to prepare the tooth and make sure that it is free of infection before performing the treatment.
The dentist will also make a temporary filling to cover the tooth while it heals. You can then return to your regular dental office within a few days for an X-ray and to replace the temporary filling with a permanent filling or crown. A crown is an artificial tooth that will be used to restore the tooth, and it can come from porcelain or gold.