Before root canals, if your tooth was infected, fractured, or deeply decayed, your only option was to have your tooth extracted. Having a tooth pulled is not only less than comfortable, but it will leave you with a noticeable gap in your smile. Thankfully, Dr. Gary C. Nawrocki and his team can expertly perform root canal therapy to save your tooth from extraction and protect it from more damage. If you’re experiencing pain, irritation, or sensitivity in a tooth, you may need root canal therapy in Cocoa Beach, FL. Contact our dental office today to get out of pain and save your tooth.
What is a Root Canal?
The most common cause of a root canal is heavy decay that has penetrated your enamel, reaching the sensitive portion of your tooth structure. During root canal therapy, Dr. Nawrocki will remove the infected or damaged area of the tooth, cleaning out any decay that could cause damage in the future. He will finish by sealing your tooth and placing a crown over it to protect it from potential damage. Dental crowns restore the natural look of your smile while also protecting the affected area to decrease your risk of decay and infection in the future.
Why Do I Need a Root Canal?
Root canal therapy is needed when the dental pulp (inside portion of your tooth) becomes infected. If your damaged root canals are left untreated, they can cause infection and serious issues that can affect other parts of your oral health. Infection can lead to an abscessed tooth, which will become extremely painful and need to be extracted if a root canal isn’t performed. Dr. Nawrocki takes pride in being able to save teeth from extraction as well as preventing infection from spreading. If you’ve been having pain or notice a pimple-like abscess in your mouth, contact our dental office right away for treatment.
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
Root canals tend to come with a reputation for pain, but in reality, they provide relief. Dr. Nawrocki will make sure that your mouth is completely numb before starting. You won’t experience any pain during root canal therapy, but you may feel discomfort or soreness after the procedure. Dr. Nawrocki uses a special material called gutta percha that seals your inner tooth to prevent future pain, infection, and sensitivity. That’s why root canal therapy actually relieves pain from infection or decay rather than causing it.
Recovering from a Root Canal
If you feel some soreness or discomfort in the first few days after treatment, it is completely normal. You can take over-the-counter pain medication to ease any discomfort, but you should also get a good amount of rest. Additionally, a good oral healthcare routine will help speed up your recovery time. If you’re feeling pain after more than a few days, contact Nawrocki Dental for your necessary treatment.
Root Canal Frequently Asked Questions
Hearing the words “root canal” may strike fear into the hearts of some people. But contrary to popular belief, there is nothing to fear about root canal therapy in Cocoa Beach. In fact, this procedure is often as comfortable as a simple filling and can even relieve the pain of an intense toothache due to infection. To help give you some peace of mind, we’ve included the answers to a handful of frequently asked root canal questions.
How Much Does Root Canal Therapy Cost?
Getting a root canal does not come with a fixed cost, as every patient is different. We can develop a personalized cost estimate during your consultation. The price will depend on factors like where the tooth that needs treatment is located in your mouth, what materials your crown will be made of, and your level of insurance coverage. Most dental insurance companies consider root canal therapy a major procedure, so they’ll often cover about 50% of the cost.
At Nawrocki Dental, we welcome PPO plans. We also offer low-interest, third-party financing through CareCredit as well as an in-house membership plan that gives you discounts on many services, including root canal therapy.
How Long Will My Root Canal Take?
Generally speaking, the farther back a tooth is located in the mouth, the longer it will take to treat it. Molars have more root canals inside the tooth that needs to be sterilized. In most cases, though, a root canal in Cocoa Beach can be completed in a single appointment that lasts between one and two hours.
Will Root Canal Therapy Make Me Sick?
There is a common misconception that getting a root canal increases your risk for cancer and other illnesses. However, this notion is based on poorly done research by a dentist in the 1920s. He believed that root canal therapy did not remove all of the infected tissue in the tooth and that the infection could spread throughout the body. His research has since been proven false, as no link has been found between root canal therapy and an increased risk for any other medical condition.
How Can I Prevent the Need for a Root Canal in the Future?
The most effective way of preventing infections that warrant root canal therapy is by maintaining good oral hygiene. Brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash every single day. Visit our dental office for a checkup and cleanings twice a year at minimum. Stick to a mouth-healthy diet that’s low in processed sugars and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. All of these habits can greatly reduce your risk of tooth decay that could progress to the point where you need a root canal.
