Endodontics
Root Canal Therapy in Largo, FL
Dental health is essential to your overall well-being. Our team at Pinellas Dental Specialties specializes in endodontic treatment, commonly known as root canal therapy, designed to save your natural teeth and relieve pain caused by infection or damage.
What Is Endodontic Treatment?
Endodontic treatment diagnoses and treats problems in the dental pulp — the soft tissue inside your teeth. When the pulp becomes infected or inflamed from deep decay, trauma, or a crack, it can cause severe pain and complications. Our goal is to remove the infected tissue and preserve your natural tooth, so you keep your smile and your oral health intact.
Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with advanced technology for precise diagnosis and effective treatment, and our endodontic team provides care tailored to your individual needs.
Our treatments
Endodontic Treatments
We offer a range of endodontic treatments to address your specific condition.
Root Canal Therapy
The most common endodontic procedure. It involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning the root canals, and sealing the tooth to prevent further infection. Our gentle approach keeps discomfort to a minimum, so you can return to your day quickly.
Endodontic Retreatment
Sometimes a tooth that has already had root canal therapy needs additional treatment, due to a new infection or incomplete healing. We carefully evaluate your situation and determine the best course of action to restore the tooth’s health.
Apicoectomy
A surgical procedure performed when a root canal hasn’t fully resolved the issue. It removes the tip of the tooth’s root and the surrounding infected tissue, and can save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted.
Pulp Capping
When the pulp isn’t severely infected, pulp capping may be an option. A medicated dressing is placed over the exposed pulp to encourage healing and preserve the tooth’s vitality.
Your visit
What to Expect During Your Visit
When you visit Pinellas Dental Specialties for endodontic treatment, you can expect:
- Comprehensive evaluation: A thorough examination, including X-rays, to diagnose your condition accurately.
- Customized treatment plan: We work with you to build a plan that aligns with your needs and preferences.
- Comfort-focused care: Sedation options and a gentle approach to minimize anxiety or discomfort during your procedure.
- Aftercare guidance: Detailed instructions for post-treatment care to support a smooth recovery.
Feel anxious about dental visits? Read about our sedation options to help you stay comfortable throughout treatment.
Have questions?
Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal Therapy
Modern root canal therapy, performed under local anesthesia, is generally no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. In fact, most patients come in already in pain from the infection — the procedure itself is what relieves it.
Common signs include lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when chewing, a darkening tooth, or swelling near a tooth. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all and it’s only found on an X-ray — a comprehensive evaluation is the only way to know for certain.
A root canal is performed through the crown of the tooth and is the first line of treatment. An apicoectomy is a minor surgical procedure at the root tip, used when a root canal or retreatment hasn’t fully resolved an infection.
Often, yes, especially on back teeth that handle heavy chewing forces — a root-canaled tooth can become more brittle over time, and a crown protects it. We’ll let you know during your evaluation whether your tooth needs one.
Don’t Wait — Contact Us Today
If you’re experiencing tooth pain or discomfort, the sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances of saving your tooth. We’re here to help every step of the way.
or call us at 727-531-5100