Root Canal Therapy

Root Canal Surgery for Cracked or Infected Teeth

Root canal therapy is a restorative dental procedure designed to save teeth that are severely infected, decayed, or damaged. When the inner pulp of a tooth becomes inflamed or infected, it can cause intense pain, sensitivity, and the risk of tooth loss if left untreated.

A root canal removes the infected tissue, cleans and sanitizes the canal space, and seals the tooth to prevent reinfection. Modern techniques make the treatment more comfortable and less intimidating than a lot of patients expect.

Root canal therapy helps preserve the natural tooth structure and restore full chewing function, preventing tooth loss and more expensive dental work.

What Is a Root Canal & When Is It Needed?

Root canals are used to treat infection inside the tooth’s pulp, which is soft tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels. When untreated decay, cracks, or trauma allow bacteria to enter this area, the resulting inflammation can cause severe pain and spread to the surrounding bone or gums. Root canal therapy is needed to stop the infection, relieve the pain, and save the natural tooth from having to be extracted.

What Are the Signs That You Need a Root Canal?

Common signs that someone needs a root canal include persistent toothaches, sensitivity to temperature, pain while chewing, swollen gums, tooth discoloration, or recurring bumps near the gumline. These symptoms usually occur when the infection has reached the nerve, which requires immediate medical treatment. Even if symptoms come and go, the infection could still be present and causing further damage. Early diagnosis and root canal therapy can reduce pain, prevent the infection from spreading, and preserve the tooth before the damage is irreversible.

Is Root Canal Therapy Painful?

Root canals have a reputation for being uncomfortable, but modern advancements in dentistry have made this procedure much more gentle and manageable than in the past. Our Davie, Plantation, and Tamarac offices use advanced numbing techniques and specialized instruments to make sure patients are relaxed during treatment. Most patients report that it feels similar to getting a standard cavity filling. Mild soreness afterwards is normal, temporary, and usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.

How Long Do Root Canals Take & What Is the Recovery Time?

Most root canals are completed in 1-2 office visits depending on the severity and complexity of the infection. Recovery time is usually fast with patients returning to normal activities that same day. Some tenderness can occur as the surrounding tissue heals but usually subsides within a few days. Following your dentist’s aftercare instructions like avoiding hard foods helps make sure the wound heals properly and the results last.

What Happens After a Root Canal?

After the actual root canal procedure, the tooth is sealed and restored using a dental crown for added strength and protection. Since the tooth no longer contains active nerve tissue, it can become more brittle over time and require a crown for stability. Your dentist can make sure the crown matches your natural tooth color and shape. With proper restoration and oral hygiene, a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy can last a lifetime.

What Are the Alternatives to a Root Canal?

The only alternative to a root canal for an infected tooth is extraction, which often leads to additional treatment needs like dental implants, bridges, or dentures to replace the missing tooth. Root canal therapy is the most conservative and cost-effective option since it preserves your natural tooth structure and prevents jawbone loss. Dentists will recommend root canals when the tooth can still be saved.