Can I Get a Root Canal from a General Dentist?

/0 Comments/in /by

There are a lot of misconceptions in the dental world, and you’ll likely hear them constantly once you know more about the industry. People might say that they have to go to a dentist in Cocoa, FL for a root canal, even though root canals can only be performed by endodontists. Here, we’ll look at the differences between the two branches, and why it helps to find the right team if you happen to need this service.

General Dentists vs. Endodontists

A general dentist can perform a number of procedures, including general cleanings, fillings, and evaluations. However, to perform a root canal, they would need to be able to open the tooth, fill the canals, and then fill the space. This is an involved procedure, especially for teeth with more intricate root and nerve systems. An endodontist specializes in this complex service, studying the methodologies and techniques so they can tackle even the toughest cases.

Root Canals: What to Know

Root canal treatments vary from person to person, so it’s important not to make assumptions before scheduling one. The good news is that most people will have a relatively comfortable and convenient experience. Thanks to modern advancements, most root canals are simple, clean, and won’t take much time to recover from.

However, there are some cases that are far more complex and some procedures that can go awry mid-way through the process. This is why root canal retreatments exist — because they give the endodontist one more chance to remove the pulp from the canals, reseal the tooth, and then cap it off with a crown.

Schedule a Root Canal in Cocoa, FL

At PSJ Dental Care, we offer both general dentistry and root canals in Cocoa, FL, making it possible for patients to get everything done at one practice. Rather than referring you to a different specialist in another part of town, we vet our candidates from within for a better patient experience.

If you have questions about root canals — or if you want to learn how general dentistry can help you avoid root canals— contact us today to learn more about how we streamline our patient treatments.

What Happens During a Root Canal?

/0 Comments/in /by

A root canal can seem scary, but it doesn’t have to be. The more you know about root canals and what to expect, the less troubling the procedure may be. Your dentist in Cocoa FL can help by answering your questions and giving you information about what happens during a root canal. In this article, we’ll answer your commonly asked questions about root canal procedures.

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is an emergency dental procedure. Your dentist will give you a root canal if you have a dental infection in your tooth. The root canal is a procedure to save your tooth and prevent the infection from spreading elsewhere in your body. Without a root canal, your tooth may become so infected that it needs extraction.

Root Canal Procedure

During the root canal procedure, the dentist will drill into your tooth and remove the infected pulp. After sanitizing the tooth and sealing it, the dentist will place a cap (called a crown) over your tooth. This crown will help protect your teeth from further infection and reinforce the tooth enamel to prevent it from breaking.

Signs You Need a Root Canal

The dentist will tell you if you need a root canal. However, you may notice some signs such as:

  • You have a severe toothache that won’t go away.
  • Your face is swollen in the area around your tooth.
  • Your tooth is sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.
  • Your breath is bad and brushing your teeth won’t fix the problem.

Do you need root canal therapy in Cocoa FL? Don’t wait. Call your dentist at PSJ Dental Care to schedule your dental appointment.

Do You Need a Root Canal?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The symptoms of many oral health problems can overlap, so it can be challenging to know if you need a root canal in Cocoa, FL. While we encourage you to schedule an appointment anytime you are experiencing pain or other new symptoms, knowing the signs of infected tooth pulp that indicate you need a root canal is helpful.

Understanding the Anatomy of a Tooth

The inside of each of your teeth contains blood vessels and pulp that can become infected. The most typical reasons for infection include severe tooth decay, a deep crack in the tooth, chronic tooth grinding, an injury to the face, and bacteria inside your mouth penetrating the tooth. When you get a root canal, our dentist removes the infected pulp, cleans the inside of the tooth, and places a dental cap over it if it’s a back-chewing tooth. The cap helps to prevent further inflammation.

Signs You May Have an Infected Tooth

Persistent, throbbing pain that does not respond to typical home remedies like non-prescription pain relievers or ice packs is one of the most obvious signs that you could be dealing with infected tooth pulp. Other things to look for include:

  • Tooth appears black or gray instead of its usual color
  • Increased sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks
  • Chip or crack in the tooth
  • Pain while eating or when you touch the tooth
  • Swollen gums
  • Pus or pimples on your gums
  • Tooth feels loose

Never ignore these symptoms hoping they will go away or try to figure out the problem on your own. You risk tooth extraction if you wait too long to schedule an appointment with PSJ Dental Care. Please contact us to schedule an appointment to determine if you need a root canal in Cocoa, FL, as soon as possible.