Root canals
Root canal treatment in Miami
A root canal treats infection or inflammation inside a tooth, relieves the pain it causes, and lets you keep your own tooth. Done under local anesthesia, it usually feels much like having a filling.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Rodolfo Rodriguez, DMD · Updated
What a root canal is
Inside every tooth is the pulp — its nerve and blood vessels. When deep decay, a crack or an injury lets bacteria reach it, the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. A root canal removes the damaged pulp, cleans and shapes the canals inside the root, and seals them.
The alternative is usually to take the tooth out. When a tooth can be saved, keeping it is almost always worth it.
Signs you may need one
- A persistent toothache, especially when you bite
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the source is gone
- A tooth that has darkened
- Swelling or tenderness in the gum near a tooth
- A pimple-like bump on the gum that comes and goes
Sometimes there are no symptoms at all, and the problem shows up on an X-ray. Read do I need a root canal?
How it's done
Diagnosis
We examine the tooth and take X-rays — and when needed, a 3D CBCT scan taken here in the office, which shows the roots and the bone around them in detail.
Treatment
The tooth is numbed, and oral or IV sedation is available if you're anxious. The pulp is removed, the canals are cleaned, shaped and filled, and the tooth is sealed. Many root canals are finished in one visit; some take two.
The crown
A back tooth that has had a root canal is more brittle, so it usually needs a crown to protect it from breaking.
After treatment
The tooth may feel tender for a few days, and over-the-counter pain relief usually handles it. Avoid chewing hard foods on it until the final crown or filling is in place.
Complex cases
If a tooth has unusual anatomy, or an old root canal needs redoing, Dr. Rodriguez may refer you to an endodontist — a dentist with advanced training in root canals. He'll tell you when that's the better path.
Cost and insurance
Many plans pay part of the cost of root canal treatment. We're currently out of network and submit claims as a courtesy. See Insurance & membership.
FAQs
Does a root canal hurt?
Is it better to just pull the tooth?
How long does a tooth last after a root canal?
Can I go back to work the same day?
What happens if I ignore it?
Terms
- Pulp
- The soft tissue inside a tooth: its nerve and blood vessels.
- Root canal
- The channel inside a root that holds the pulp — and the treatment that cleans it.
- Endodontist
- A dentist with advanced training in root canal treatment.
- Abscess
- A pocket of infection at the tip of a root or in the gum.
- Gutta-percha
- The rubber-like material used to fill the cleaned canals.
- Retreatment
- Redoing an old root canal that has become infected again.
Related
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