Root Canal Tampa, FL

Root canal therapy is the treatment of the pulp (nerve) of the tooth. If a tooth becomes damaged, the pulp can become inflamed, infected, or irritated and eventually die. When this happens, the patient is at risk of losing their tooth.

We want to help you keep your teeth for a lifetime, so we recommend treating damaged nerves with a root canal in Tampa.

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Why You Might Need Root Canal Therapy

Why You Might Need Root Canal Therapy in Tampa Fl image. Why You Might Need Root Canal Therapy in Tampa Fl image.

To understand why your Tampa dentist may recommend root canal therapy, you need to understand tooth anatomy. Here’s a simple breakdown. Teeth consist of three parts:

  • Enamel: The enamel is the hard outer layer of the tooth that protects the more delicate layers from damage due to trauma, acids in our foods, and bacterial attacks. Enamel only covers the coronal portion of the tooth – the part of the tooth above the gum line.
  • Dentin: Under the enamel is a layer called dentin. The dentin is the primary component of each tooth. This layer reinforces the enamel and helps protect the pulp.
  • Pulp: The dental pulp is the center of the tooth. It is commonly referred to as the nerve but consists of blood vessels and connective tissue in addition to nerve cells. The pulp sits in the middle of the tooth and fills the canals in each tooth’s root.

Reasons Why You May Need a Root Canal in Tampa

The dental pulp is very delicate and can easily die if not protected, which is why your dentist recommends regular cleanings and good oral hygiene at home. If you can keep the enamel healthy, you can protect the pulp.

However, the pulp can sometimes become damaged by deep dental decay, a deep crack in the tooth, or trauma (getting hit in the face/mouth/tooth).

Damaged pulp can result in the tooth’s death, which can cause a lot of pain and weaken the tooth’s structure. When this happens, patients have two options: Extract the tooth or proceed with a root canal.

Reasons Why You May Need a Root Canal in Tampa Fl image.

Why Should You Invest in Saving Your Natural Tooth

Why Should You Invest in Saving Your Natural Tooth in Tampa Fl image.

Some patients opt for an extraction, often due to the price difference between an extraction and root canal therapy.

While a root canal in Tampa does cost more, it can help you save money in the long run.

Removing a tooth without restoring it can cause adjacent teeth to shift. A shift in your bite can strain the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of your head and jaw. It can also put excess pressure on your teeth, causing them to crack, chip, or fracture. The result is pain, discomfort, and additional dental procedures to save and repair the remaining teeth.

Additionally, the loss of a tooth can result in bone loss and put you at greater risk for gum disease and tooth loss in the future.

What Is Root Canal Treatment in Tampa?

Root canal therapy consists of cleaning out the damaged or dead pulp tissue, disinfecting the tooth’s canals, and building the tooth back up to provide structure and support.

What Is Root Canal Treatment in Tampa Fl image.

What to Expect During Your Root Canal Appointment

What to Expect During Your Root Canal Appointment in Tampa Fl image. What to Expect During Your Root Canal Appointment in Tampa Fl image.

Your Tampa dentist will start by numbing the tooth with a local anesthetic. Once you’re numb, your dentist will use a handpiece to make an opening in the top or back of the tooth (top if it’s a posterior tooth, back if it’s an anterior tooth) to access the pulp chamber.

Once your dentist has access to the pulp, they’ll use specialized tools (called files) to remove the pulp tissue. Using files of various sizes, your Tampa dentist will thoroughly remove the pulp from the chamber and the root canals. They’ll then take an x-ray to ensure they’ve removed all the pulp tissue.

After removing the damaged tissue, your dentist will disinfect the tooth and fill the canals with a product called gutta-percha, which seals the canals.

Next, they will place a build-up material in the coronal portion of the tooth to provide strength and structure.

After some healing time, you will need a dental crown to fit over the tooth to protect it from further damage.

Exceptional Care from a Compassionate Team

We know that getting a root canal in Tampa can be nerve-wracking. Our team understands dental anxiety and will do all we can to ease your mind and keep you comfortable before, during, and after your procedure.

If you have any questions about your upcoming root canal treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact us. The more knowledge you have, the more confident you’ll feel during your procedure, which will help ensure your comfort.

Are you experiencing tooth pain? Contact our team to schedule an evaluation. We want to help you get out of pain fast!

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