Root Canal Therapy

Root Canal Therapy for Improved Dental Health and Function

Root canal therapy, or endodontic treatment, can save your smile and prevent serious systemic health problems. This procedure is often the most appropriate solution for dental infection. Jacksonville Dentist Dr. Lysandro Tapnio uses gentle techniques and a powerful local anesthetic. Therefore, although many believe that root canal therapy will be very disagreeable, our procedures involve minimal discomfort.

During the treatment, Dr. Tapnio will clean out your tooth, and he will top it with a custom dental crown made from advanced materials. After your treatment, you will enjoy improved oral health, a lower risk for additional damage, and a beautiful smile. If you are suffering from a toothache or some other symptom of dental infection, contact us today to find out if root canal therapy is the right treatment for you.

Would You Benefit from a Root Canal?

The center of your tooth is filled with a soft pulp. Nerves and blood vessels extend from this pulp into your dental roots. If the pulp becomes infected, or if your tooth suffers severe structural damage, you may require root canal therapy. A toothache is one of the most common symptoms of dental infection. Pain may be chronic or intermittent. Often, it will worsen in response to pressure or temperature changes. However, not every toothache requires endodontic treatment. Dr. Tapnio will evaluate your tooth and take x-rays to determine the right procedure for you. Other signs that you may need root canal therapy include:

  • A tooth that has dark intrinsic discoloration
  • Gum abscesses
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Gum inflammation, particularly in an isolated area
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • A large crack

In isolated cases, dental infection may exhibit no symptoms. For this reason, among others, it is important to schedule routine checkups. Through regular visits and periodic x-rays, Dr. Tapnio can monitor your oral health.

The Root Canal Procedure

Before performing a root canal, Dr. Tapnio will numb your tooth and place a rubber dam to isolate the tooth from your gums. Then he will create a small access chamber in the top of your tooth, through which he will clean out your tooth and root canals. He will remove bacteria, as well as any infected pulp. He may also treat the inside of your tooth with an antibacterial solution to further eradicate infection. When your tooth is clean, Dr. Tapnio will fill it with a rubbery compound called gutta percha. This material will seal off your tooth and prevent bacteria from returning. Then he will place a temporary filling. At your second appointment, Dr. Tapnio will prep the tooth for a dental crown. Your crown restoration will be custom-designed, often from advanced tooth-colored materials. Once your crown is in place, you will typically enjoy fully restored dental function.

Gentle Care for Minimal Discomfort

Unfortunately, root canal therapy has an unwarranted reputation for being a highly unpleasant procedure. Dr. Tapnio has years of experience performing this treatment. He uses very precise techniques that will have little impact on your surrounding tissues. In addition, our local anesthetic is quite effective. Therefore, in most cases, you should feel very little during your root canal – typically no more than a slight pressure. After endodontic treatment, most patients compare the experience to the process of receiving a dental filling.

The Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is an important procedure because it can enhance your dental function and long-term oral health. The benefits of this treatment include:

  • Reduced health risks: Without proper care, bacteria will continue to spread, affecting more and more of your tooth. Eventually, infection could even spread to your gums, jawbone, and other teeth.
  • Restored bite: A toothache can greatly impact your dental function. By eliminating bacteria and placing a dental crown, Dr. Tapnio can improve your quality of life.
  • Improved appearance: As stated above, dental infection can leave you with a dark colored tooth. Your custom-designed crown will conceal this discoloration.
  • Reduced inflammation: In many cases, endodontic treatment may be the only way to ease the discomfort of your toothache.

Without root canal treatment, you will most likely require tooth extraction. In some cases, the tooth is so weakened root canal treatment and restoration with a crown is not possible. If the tooth cannot be saved and extraction is necessary, a dental implant can be placed and a dental crown fixed on the implant, or the gap can be filled with crown and bridge treatment or a removable denture.

Ease Your Discomfort Today

Our root canal therapy can save your tooth and end your toothache. Contact us today!

For a textbook definition on root canal therapy, read this article.

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Beacon Family Dentistry

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