Root canal & endodontics in Largo

The pulp inside of your teeth is fairly insulated from damage. Most of the time, you don't even notice the pulp, since your tooth enamel surrounds it like a shell. Unfortunately, bacteria can breach that strong barrier if your tooth gets a cavity or fracture that allows it to reach the pulp. Once the pulp gets damaged or exposed to bacteria, you can develop inflammation or an infection that leads to serious pain. Root canals involve removing the pulp, so that you no longer have to experience severe pain and discomfort.

Asking yourself why you might need a root canals could mean that you are wondering what you could have done to avoid the problem with your root canals. The truth is that you can injury your tooth on accident, or you might have had deep decay that caused damage to the pulp, even after you had a filling. Once you begin to develop the symptoms of a tooth infection, you'll want to get the procedure done to permanently end the following common symptoms:

• Severe pain that may wake you up at night
• Pain that increases when you chew your food
• Swelling or an abscess around the affected tooth
• Tooth discoloration or a large cavity
• Painful sensitivity to heat, touch or cold sensations

A root canal dentist might perform other common dental procedures, since performing this procedure is a lot like doing a more intensive filling. A general dentist can usually help you end pain that is related to the tooth pulp, but you might need to choose an endodontist if your case is more complicated. Endodontists are specially trained in doing oral surgery, and your dentist might refer you to one if you're having a tooth re-treated or have other complications. Our clinic is staffed with both general and specialty dentists, and we'll even help you find the right one to fit your needs when you call our office to make an appointment for an evaluation.

A typical dental root canal is fairly routine, and both endodontists and general dentists tend to use the same types of steps. First, they'll make sure that your tooth and gums are numb to prevent you from feeling any uncomfortable symptoms during the procedure. Once you are fully numb, they'll then place a shield around the tooth that helps to keep it as clean as possible. Then, they'll drill a hole through the outside surface of your tooth to access that pulp. After reaching the pulp, your dentist can then move on to removing the diseased tissue and cleaning out the canals. Once the dentist is satisfied that all of the infected pulp is removed, they'll then fill in the space with a rubbery type of material called gutta-percha. You'll then be fit for a root canal crown that might be placed on your tooth the same day. In some cases, a dentist will wait for the tooth to heal before placing the permanent crown on your tooth.

Multiple factors go into determining the total cost for root canals, and you don't have to worry if someone has told you that theirs was expensive. Everyone is different, and it is possible that your friend had a completed case or required a specialty dental crown. When you visit our office, we'll do a full evaluation that results in a personalized plan for your procedure that includes a cost estimate. Your root canal may cost less than the average type if you need work on a front tooth with only one root rather than a molar with four.

The majority of root canals fall within the standard category, but your dentist can also recommend an apicoectomy if your case requires removing the tip of the root to end your pain. Pediatric pulpotomy procedures are another special type that leaves the root intact after removing the pulp.