Root Canal Therapy Performed by Gentle Dental Professionals in Clearwater, FL
Each tooth in your mouth has one or more canals that contain a pulp—a rich supply of blood and nerves—encased within a hard root. The pulp provides essential nutrients to the tooth as it develops, but a fully developed tooth can survive without a pulp because it can receive all the nourishment it needs from the surrounding tissues.
A root canal is a common dental procedure that may be performed to relieve pain and preserve a tooth with an inflamed or infected pulp, which can result from tooth decay or a dental injury. When performing root canal therapy, a general dentist or dental specialist (endodontist) will remove the pulp of the affected tooth, disinfect and reshape the root canal, and then place a rubber-like filling to seal the space. Afterward, a dentist can place a dental crown to protect the tooth and restore its function.
Do You Need Root Canal Therapy?
If you have a toothache, a broken tooth, or a deep cavity, a dental professional at Florida Dental Centers in Clearwater, Florida, can examine your tooth and make a treatment recommendation. You may benefit from root canal therapy if you have:
- Severe pain while biting and chewing
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, even after the source has been removed from your mouth
- Pimple-like bumps (fistulas) on your gums
- Tender, swollen, or darkened gums
There’s no need to worry if your dentist recommends root canal therapy to treat an infected or damaged tooth. This tooth-saving treatment has dramatically improved in recent years, and it is no longer the painful ordeal your grandparents might remember. Modern root canal therapy is extremely effective and virtually painless; actually, it is not much different than getting a routine dental filling.
For more information about root canal therapy, contact Florida Dental Centers. If you’d like, you can schedule a consultation with a dental professional at our office in Clearwater, FL.
