Root canal & endodontics in St. Petersburg

What Does Getting Root Canals Mean?

Root canals are a routine type of oral surgery that aim to remove infected dental pulp that causes immense pain. If your dental pulp gets infected from bacteria due to deep decay or becomes inflamed from a serious tooth injury, then it can flare up and send signals to the nerve in your tooth that is responsible for alerting you to the problem with increasing discomfort. In most cases, removing that irksome tooth pulp is the only way to permanently end pain, since the soft tissue doesn’t have the ability to heal itself after major trauma.

When Might Someone Need Root Canals?

The majority of people who require a dental root canal are usually already expecting to hear the news from their dentist. Usually, you’ll feel tooth pain that is quite unlike what you’ve felt from cavities in the past. Inflamed dental pulp can cause constant pain that increases with your tooth’s exposure to heat, cold or touch. The pain might keep you up at night or cause you to wake up when your over-the-counter medications wear off. You might also see a large cavity on your tooth or discoloration from the infected pulp. Feeling constant pain is a major indicator that you might be a good candidate for a root canal to give you your comfort back.

Are All Dentists Qualified to Do Root Canals?

You might need to visit a special root canal dentist called an endodontist when you have special circumstances involving the tooth. Repeat root canals are rare, and you’ll want an endodontist to perform any specialty parts of the procedure that can help to stop a recurring problem. For the average case, you can usually work with a general dentist. If looking for a dentist has been holding you back from scheduling the procedure, then we can help you stop the research cycle. Just give our office a call to connect with dental clinics in your area that have a wide range of specialty dentists on staff. Whether you need a general dentist or an endodontist, we’ll introduce you to one that knows how to give you the best opportunity to enjoy permanent pain relief in your tooth.

What Should You Expect During a Root Canal Procedure?

The hardest part of root canals is sometimes the lead up to your appointment. We know that knowledge is power, and knowing what to expect on the big day helps you to feel calmer when you visit our office. Your dentist will outline the steps in greater detail, but this overview gives you a general idea of what to expect for standard root canals.

• Apply topical numbing medication or use an agreed upon form of anesthesia
• Clean and prep the tooth by surrounding it with a shield
• Start by making a small hole to access the tooth pulp
• Remove the tooth pulp
• Use special tools to clear out each canal
• Flush out debris using a special disinfecting liquid
• Seal the tooth using gutta-percha, which is a rubbery material
• Put on a temporary or permanent root canal crown

What Might My Root Canal Cost?

The majority of dental care providers aren’t able to give you an accurate cost for your treatment until they evaluate your tooth and overall oral health. If you are worried about the cost, then checking with your insurance provider is a good first step to find out if the procedure is included in the coverage. Most carriers cover at least partial costs for root canals, and we can help you figure out what is included in your policy. Give our office a call today to let us know that you are working on figuring out the financial aspects of ending your tooth pain.

What Are the Main Types of Root Canals?

During standard root canals, your dentist will go through the basic steps of removing the pulp and cleaning out the canals. If you need a repeat treatment, then an apicoectomy might be required to remove the tip of the tooth root that is causing you severe pain. Dentists sometimes prefer to leave the nerve to the tooth. Usually, a pediatric pulpotomy is done on kids who have severe trauma to their baby teeth.

How Do You Know If Dental Root Canal Treatment Is Right for You?

The constant severe pain can heighten your anxiety and cause you to question every decision. Once a dentist diagnoses the tooth pulp as being the primary source of your dental pain, there is no question that root canals are the best answer for restoring your oral health and stopping the pain. For a root canal in St. Petersburg, our office is the place to be. We’ve got a team of professionals ready to make a diagnosis and perform the treatment to end your pain and suffering.