Root Canal Therapy in Bradenton, FL
Do you feel a twinge in your tooth, or experience severe dental pain or sensitivity? If so, you may be among the millions of people who need root canal therapy to repair their smiles. According to the American Association of Endodontists, perhaps the most feared dental procedure is root canal therapy. However despite the stigma, it’s a painless and straightforward treatment that can help protect your oral health.
People often think it’s the root canal procedure itself that’s painful, but it’s actually the symptoms prior to the treatment. Root canal therapy relieves pain and prevents more complicated oral health issues down the road.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a natural passage in the tooth’s center that houses the pulp chamber. Nerves and blood vessels reside in this chamber, and if they become irritated or infected, they require root canal therapy. Common signs of a dental infection include:
- Sensitivity to hot and cold sensations
- Severe pain, especially when chewing or biting
- Bumps on the gums
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- Tender or swollen gums
- Deep decay or darkening of the gums
Irritation or infection of the pulp can result from cavities, trauma, or decay. If left untreated, an abscess can develop, leading to facial swelling and bone loss around the tooth roots.
How Does Root Canal Therapy Work?
Dr. Stock has extensive experience performing quick and gentle root canal therapy. Before your treatment begins, Dr. Christopher Stock performs an oral health examination to locate the infection and determine its severity.
Dr. Stock begins the root canal treatment by administering a local anesthetic, so you do not experience any pain during the procedure. He then gently and carefully removes all signs of disease and bacteria from the tooth's root canal, including the damaged pulp. After removing the infection, Dr. Stock coats the inside of the tooth with an irrigation solution and fills the tooth with a strong, malleable substance called gutta-percha.
Finally, he places the final crown or dental filling, whichever best meets your needs. A dental crown or filling protects the treated tooth from future infection, and it reinforces the tooth’s natural structure and strength.
Aesthetic and Durable Dental Restorations
Using advanced technology, Dr. Stock creates and places aesthetic, tooth-colored crowns and fillings. At Palms Dental, we can make same-day dental crowns with PlanScan technology, or we can send your crown specifications to our trusted dental laboratory partners. The dental laboratory we work with is one of the best in the country, and their handiwork always results in precise, durable, and attractive restorations.
At Palms Dental, we create and place tooth-colored fillings in the comfort of our dental office. Whatever your needs may be, Dr. Stock ensures your restoration is comfortable, functional, and complementary to your appearance.
Root Canal Recovery 
After root canal therapy, your mouth may feel numb for a few hours. Most patients can return to work, school, or other normal activities following treatment. We typically recommend waiting to eat until the numbness subsides. To reduce pain or sensitivity, Dr. Stock can recommend over-the-counter medications.
You may continue your oral hygiene routine to maintain the health of your teeth, including brushing, flossing, and using antiseptic mouthwash. Last, but certainly not least, please continue scheduling regular dental appointments for preventive exams and cleanings.
Contact Your Bradenton Dentist Today
Dr. Stock is an award-winning dentist in Bradenton who has several years of experience performing pain-free root canal treatments. A root canal is a certain way to save a damaged or diseased tooth from extraction, which can also save you time and money in the future.
At Palms Dental, we make every treatment comfortable and pleasant for our patients. Please let us help you keep your smile healthy and beautiful. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Stock.
