Root canal & endodontics in Plantation, Florida

Many people become nervous just hearing the words root canal, thinking that this procedure will be painful. But a root canal actually eliminates your pain and saves your natural tooth. What’s more, the procedure itself is about as comfortable and pain-free as getting a filling.

We have a root canal specialist, called an endodontist, at Sunrise Dental Group in Plantation who has been trained to handle even complex cases with ease and comfort. Please call our office at (954) 246-4871 to set up a consultation.

When Is a Root Canal Needed?

To understand why you might need a root canal, it’s helpful to understand the different parts of the tooth. The outer enamel that’s visible when you smile covers a hard layer called dentin, which in turn covers the soft inner section called the pulp.

Inside the pulp are connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. When the outer enamel becomes cracked or chipped, or if severe decay occurs, the pulp can become inflamed or infected.

Trauma or an injury to the teeth or face also can affect the pulp. Bacteria in the pulp devolves into a painful infection. This can cause not only severe pain and sensitivity but swelling in the gum around the tooth and tooth discoloration.

If untreated, an infection in the pulp can cause swelling in other areas of the face, neck or head; bone loss around the tooth’s roots; or a pus-filled pocket called an abscess at the tooth’s roots.

Our endodontist in Sunrise specializes in problems involving the tooth pulp. Endodontists train for an additional two years, studying root canal techniques and procedures, so they can treat even difficult cases effectively.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

A root canal helps save your natural tooth by removes the tooth’s root and the infected pulp. Once your tooth is fully developed, it can survive without its pulp. Saving your natural tooth so that it doesn’t have to be removed has several benefits.

You’ll notice no difference in how you bite, chew, or smile, and you’ll protect your surrounding teeth from excessive wear or strain.

What should I expect from a root canal treatment?

When it comes to a root canal, the most pain you’ll feel is the pain that caused you to call the dentist in the first place. The procedure itself takes about an hour or two to complete.

A root canal typically includes:

• Taking an X -ay to evaluate the infection and the number and shape of the tooth roots involved.
• Numbing the tooth with local anesthesia.
• Keeping the area around the tooth dry with a sheet of rubber called a rubber dam.
• Drilling a small hole in the crown, or the top of the tooth.
• Using special tools to remove the infected pulp and disinfect the tooth’s canals.
• Filling the canals with a special substance to block contaminants and sealing the tooth.

After the root canal treatment is complete, you’ll make a separate appointment to visit your general dentist to have the tooth topped with a crown. The crown will keep food and other particles from getting into the tooth and causing future problems.

What Should I Expect After a Root Canal?

After a root canal, you can chew, speak, and smile without worry and with your natural tooth restored to its normal function. Teeth restored through root canal treatment can last for a long time with proper hygiene. Our caring endodontist in Plantation is glad to discuss your particular situation and how root canal therapy can help you.

How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?

The cost of root canal treatment in Plantation varies depending on the tooth involved. A front tooth has only one root, for example, whereas a molar can have up to four and cost more because of the complexity of the procedure. Your dental insurance typically covers much of the cost.

Please give our office a call at (954) 246-4871 to schedule a detailed consultation to learn more.