Did you know that over 14 million root canals are performed in the U.S. each year? Despite being a standard procedure, it continues to fill people with dread and thoughts of pain and anxiety. The good news is that advances in endodontic technology and dental anesthetics have made root canal treatments comparable to having cavities filled. Better yet, the procedure alleviates your pain, so you will leave our office feeling better than when you walked in.
At Lake Minneola Dentistry, we understand the apprehension many of our patients feel about root canals. We never spare any effort to ensure you are comfortable and free of stress while getting the exceptional care you deserve.
Root canal therapy is a common endodontic procedure that saves damaged or infected teeth resulting from deep decay, chips, cracks, trauma, or repeated dental procedures. It involves removing the infected or inflamed inner pulp and cleaning and sealing the tooth to prevent reinfection. Root canal therapy has an incredibly high success rate, and with proper care, a treated tooth can last a lifetime!
Without treatment, tooth pulp infection will continue progressing and lead to severe pain, swelling, or even an abscess. The only alternative to a needed root canal treatment is to have the infected tooth extracted, which is always the last resort. A lost tooth can cause a host of problems, so depending on its location, we may recommend replacing it with a partial denture, dental implant, or bridge.
Tooth pulp damage can cause various symptoms, including the following:
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact Lake Minneola Dentist for an evaluation. We will recommend the most conservative treatment option to relieve your discomfort and restore your smile's health and function.
A root canal treatment can take one to three appointments to complete, depending on your unique needs. We will start by numbing the area and are happy to offer nitrous oxide sedation, if needed, to help you relax during treatment.
Once you are comfortable, we will make an opening in the tooth's crown to access the pulp chamber and root canals. Next, we will remove the infected pulp, reshape the root canals, sterilize the area, and place a rubbery material called gutta-percha to seal the space. A temporary filling will help prevent reinfection.
After a root canal treatment, the tooth will become brittle and prone to fracture. That's why we usually recommend placing a dental crown for protection. At Lake Minneola Dentistry, we offer all-ceramic crowns to restore your smile’s health and function with beautifully natural results.
Do you have a severely damaged or painful tooth? Contact Lake Minneola Dentistry at 352-995-7959 to book a consultation, or fill out our online form to request an appointment today! If you require a root canal treatment, you can count on our team for exceptional, gentle care!
A root canal procedure is the best way to save a tooth that has been damaged by decay or injury and preserve your natural smile. The alternative is an extraction and treatment to replace the tooth. While at times a tooth is non-restorable and an extraction is the only option, when possible, it’s best to try and save your natural tooth. With proper care, a tooth with root canal therapy care can serve your smile well for many years to come.
Despite lingering myths from before the age of modern dental anesthesia and technology, having a root canal procedure today is as routine and comfortable as visiting the dentist for a filling. While the procedure is performed under local anesthesia with your tooth completely numbed, we can also discuss options in dental sedation.
Whether the symptoms of a dental infection subside after a course of antibiotics, a draining abscess provides you with some temporary pain relief, or a tooth with radiographic evidence of pathology has not yet developed symptoms, it’s essential, before an infection worsens or occurs, to have a root canal procedure performed. In this way, the tooth can be disinfected, filled, and sealed to protect your health and avoid further problems.
If you have sustained a dental injury, have a toothache, jaw pain, swelling, or are experiencing any other unusual and uncomfortable oral symptoms, contact our office immediately for care. Dental problems that have not been evaluated and treated can significantly worsen, producing more severe damage and consequences for the involved teeth, your oral health, and even your overall wellbeing. Once you get in touch with our office, our friendly and compassionate office team will get you in for care at your earliest convenience.
While some root canal procedures can be completed in one visit, others may involve 2 or 3 appointments. How long it takes depends on various factors, including active infection, the number of canals in the tooth, and the tooth’s location or anatomy.
With a success rate that exceeds 95%, root canal therapy remains the most effective procedure to save a tooth in which the inner vital tissues have been damaged. However, as with all healthcare procedures, there are a small percentage of cases where the teeth become symptomatic a second time. The good news is that many of these teeth can still be saved with root canal retreatment or a minor surgical procedure known as an apicoectomy.
The best ways to maintain a tooth with root canal therapy are to get the proper restoration required to rebuild and protect the tooth, maintain proper oral hygiene, and schedule appointments for routine dental checkups and care.
Saving a tooth with root canal therapy is a wise investment that, in the long run, is typically less costly and invasive than having the tooth extracted and replaced with a fixed bridge or implant. As far as the exact cost of care, it can vary depending on which tooth is being treated. Many dental insurance plans provide coverage for root canal therapy. At the office of Lake Minneola Dentistry, we do our best to optimize your dental benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Our staff answer all your questions about the cost of care and discuss all your payment options.
At the office of Lake Minneola Dentistry, we use the latest technology and most effective methods of care to provide precise and gentle care. Our reputation for excellence is based upon a consistent record of achieving successful treatment outcomes while providing prompt, stress-free, and convenient treatment for every type of dental need.
Ready to schedule your next dental appointment or have questions about our services?
Contacting Lake Minneola Dentistry is easy! Our friendly staff is available to assist you with scheduling appointments, answering inquiries about treatment options, and addressing any concerns you may have. Whether you prefer to give us a call, send us an email, or fill out our convenient online contact form, we're here to help. Don't wait to take the first step towards achieving the smile of your dreams – reach out to us today and discover the difference personalized dental care can make.