Painless Root Canal Treatment With A Local Davie Dentist

Is throbbing tooth pain disrupting your daily life, making it hard to eat, sleep, or focus? If discomfort is signaling an issue deep within your tooth, gentle and effective relief is available with the best dentist in Davie, FL. At Davie Advanced Dentistry, our goal is to alleviate your pain and preserve your natural smile with precise root canal therapy.

We warmly welcome patients from Plantation, Cooper City, and Southwest Ranches to experience comfort and lasting solutions. Don’t let tooth pain control your day – call us today at (954) 434-3331 to find relief.

Why Choose Our Dentist Near You for Root Canal Surgery?

When facing the need for root canal therapy, choosing a Davie dental practice with a strong local presence and a reputation for compassionate care makes a real difference. We understand the local community, from families who frequent Tree Tops Park to those enjoying the unique atmosphere of the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds. 

This local connection means we are accessible for follow-up care, questions, and any post-treatment needs, making your journey to comfort as smooth as possible. For relief from pain and to preserve your smile with compassionate, local care, reach out to Davie Advanced Dentistry. Call us today at (954) 434-3331 to schedule your consultation.

What is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, is a procedure designed to address infection or inflammation in the soft inner part of your tooth, called the pulp. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue, and when it becomes infected or damaged, it can cause significant pain and lead to serious oral health issues if left untreated. 

Dr. Abbo and our dedicated team are committed to making your root canal experience as smooth and stress-free as possible, allowing you to avoid tooth extraction and maintain your natural tooth.

Root Canal Therapy Myths: Know the Truth Before Treatment

Myth 1: Root canal therapy is painful

This is perhaps the most widespread myth. Thanks to modern anesthetics and advanced dental techniques, root canal therapy is comparable to a routine filling in terms of comfort. The procedure itself relieves the severe pain caused by the infection, rather than causing it. Patients often feel little to no pain during the treatment.

Myth 2: Root canal therapy causes illness or systemic diseases

There is no valid, scientific link between root canal therapy and any other illness or disease in the body. In fact, by eliminating infection, root canal therapy can improve your overall health.

Myth 3: Extracting the tooth is a better solution

Extracting a tooth creates a gap that can lead to shifting teeth, bone loss, and often requires more complex, time-consuming, and expensive follow-up procedures (like implants or bridges) to restore function and appearance. Nothing looks, feels, or functions quite like your natural tooth.

Myth 4: You don’t need a root canal if you’re not in pain

While severe pain is a common symptom, some infected teeth may not cause continuous pain. The pulp can die without significant discomfort, or an infection might create a “pimple” on the gum that drains pus, relieving pressure and pain. However, the infection is still present and requires treatment to prevent it from spreading and causing more serious issues. 

When is Root Canal Treatment Necessary?

Root canal therapy becomes necessary when the pulp inside your tooth is infected, inflamed, or damaged. This can happen for several reasons:

• Deep Decay: When a cavity is left untreated, it can progress deeply into the tooth, reaching the pulp and causing infection.
• Repeated Dental Procedures: A tooth that has undergone multiple dental procedures over time might experience trauma to the pulp, making it vulnerable to infection.
• Cracks or Chips in the Tooth: Injuries that cause cracks or chips can create openings for bacteria to enter the pulp, leading to contamination.
• Dental Trauma: A direct blow to a tooth, even if there’s no visible crack, can damage the pulp, necessitating treatment.

If you experience symptoms like severe toothache, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, tenderness when chewing or touching the tooth, swelling in the gums around the affected tooth, or tooth discoloration, call our Davie dental office by calling (954) 434-3331 to schedule an appointment.

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment

There are many benefits to undergoing root canal treatment, including:

When a tooth is severely infected or damaged, you typically face two primary options: root canal therapy or tooth extraction. Preserving your natural tooth is almost always the preferred choice because:

• Maintains Natural Bite and Chewing Efficiency: Nothing feels or functions exactly like your own tooth. Keeping it means you retain your natural bite alignment and can continue to chew food effectively and comfortably.
• Prevents Teeth Shifting: When a tooth is removed, the adjacent teeth can drift into the empty space, leading to misalignment, bite problems, and potential issues for your remaining teeth. A successful root canal keeps your tooth in its proper place.
• Supports Jawbone Health: The roots of your natural teeth stimulate the jawbone, helping to maintain its density and prevent bone loss. An extracted tooth can lead to bone resorption in that area over time.
• Avoids Additional Procedures and Costs: While a root canal is followed by a restoration (often a crown), extracting a tooth typically requires a replacement like a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture.

Endodontic Treatments

There are several types of endodontic treatment, and the type you receive will depend on your specific dental needs. Common endodontic treatments include:

• Root Canal Therapy: Involves removing the infected or damaged pulp and cleaning and filling the root canal. Once the root canal is filled, the tooth is restored with a filling or crown.
• Apicoectomy: In some cases, root canal therapy may not be enough to treat the infection or damage to the tooth. In these cases, an apicoectomy may be necessary. This involves removing the root’s tip and any infected tissue and sealing the root to prevent further infection.
• Pulp Capping: If the damage to the tooth is minor and hasn’t caused an infection, your dentist may recommend a pulp capping procedure. This involves placing special material over the damaged pulp to help it heal and prevent further damage.
• Regenerative Endodontics: This newer type of root canal therapy helps the damaged pulp in young teeth heal and regenerate. This involves using special materials to stimulate the growth of new pulp tissue and blood vessels in the tooth.
• Root Canal Retreatment: In some cases, a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy may become infected again. In these cases, non-surgical root canal retreatment may be necessary to remove the infection and restore the tooth.

Talk to our dentist about possible alternatives to root canal treatment if you don’t qualify for traditional endodontic therapy. We may also offer pulpotomy for our younger patients with teeth infections.

The Root Canal Treatment Process

Here’s what you can expect with a root canal treatment:

1. X-rays: Our dentist will first take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone.
2. Dental Sedation: A local anesthetic is administered to numb the tooth. This is done to make the procedure more comfortable for the patient. If you’re extra nervous, talk to your dentist to see if they offer dental sedation options. 
3. Pulpectomy: A hole is drilled into the tooth to create an opening. We’ll use specialized tools to remove the pulp, bacteria, decayed nerve tissue, and related debris inside the tooth and its root canal.
4. Cleaning and Shaping: After the pulp has been removed, our dentist will clean, enlarge, and shape the canals to prepare them for the filling. This process is usually accomplished with tiny files, and a disinfecting solution may be used to kill any remaining bacteria and wash away debris.
5. Filling the Canals: Once the canals are cleaned, they’re sealed with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. The gutta-percha is placed with adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the canals.
6. Temporary Filling: A temporary filling material is placed on top of the gutta-percha to close the opening until the tooth is ready for its permanent restoration. We’ll remove this temporary filling before the tooth is restored.
7. Restoration: After healing, the tooth will need a permanent restoration, such as a dental crown or a filling, to replace the lost tooth structure and provide a complete seal to the top of the tooth. This step is crucial to protect the tooth from infection or breaking in the future and to restore its function.

After the procedure, your tooth may be sensitive for a few days, but over-the-counter painkillers can usually manage this. Despite its reputation, most people report that the procedure is no more painful than receiving a dental filling. 

Aftercare for Root Canal Therapy

Proper aftercare is essential for the long-term success of your root canal and the health of your restored tooth. Dr. Abbo will provide specific instructions, but here are general guidelines:

• Temporary Discomfort: It’s normal to experience some mild tenderness or sensitivity for a few days after the procedure. This can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until your permanent crown is placed.
• Oral Hygiene: Continue your regular brushing and flossing routine. Be gentle around the treated tooth initially. Once a permanent crown is placed, you can brush and floss around it as you would your natural teeth.
• Avoid Hard Foods: Until your permanent crown is placed, avoid chewing sticky or hard foods on the treated side to prevent damage to the temporary filling or the tooth itself.
• Attend Restoration Appointment: It is very important to return to Davie Advanced Dentistry for the placement of your permanent crown or filling as recommended by Dr. Abbo. 

Frequently Asked Questions