Root Canal Pain Relief in Bonita Springs

When it comes to dental treatments, we know that many people are not happy to learn that they need root canal therapy. But the truth is that root canals are straightforward procedures that can save your tooth and end your pain.

At Bonita Grande Dental, we believe in using a gentle touch in a stress-free environment, no matter what dental treatment you need. Dr. Michael Gostigian, DMD always puts your concerns first and will explain why you need a root canal and what to expect.

If you’re concerned about an infected tooth, call our office at (239) 301-2713 to schedule an exam with our dentist in Bonita Springs. 

The Root Canal Procedure

A root canal is a dental procedure to treat an infected or damaged tooth. Teeth have a soft interior called the dental pulp that includes nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

If infection takes hold in the pulp chamber due to deep dental decay, a fracture, or trauma, Dr. Michael Gostigian may recommend a root canal to save the tooth.

In the procedure, Dr. Gostigian cleans out the infection inside the tooth, fills the canals with a special material, and seals the tooth to protect it from any more bacteria. A dental crown usually completes the restoration and allows the tooth to function normally for many years to come.

Reasons Why Root Canals Are Needed

When infection or damage reaches the inner pulp of a tooth, the entire tooth is at risk. The interior tissues of a tooth cannot heal on its own, and if problems continue untreated, you could lose the tooth.

While tooth loss is sometimes unavoidable, missing teeth can cause a host of problems, including costly restorations, misaligned teeth, or bone loss.

That’s why at Bonita Grande Dental, saving teeth is always our top priority. If your tooth has any of these problems, you might need a root canal:

• Significant tooth decay
• Trauma, cracks, or chips that compromise the tooth structure
• Infection or disease

Signs of Needing A Root Canal

Tooth pain and sensitivity can have many reasons, and the only way to tell what’s actually wrong is by visiting our Bonita Springs dentist office. Dr. Gostigian will examine your teeth and gums, and take an x-ray to diagnose the problem.

Teeth that are infected or damaged often cause these symptoms:

• Severe toothache or pain when biting down
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Tender, swollen gums
• A pimple-like abscess on your gums

It’s critical to contact us immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. Untreated tooth infections can spread to other parts of your body, so we want to remove it as soon as possible.

Since a problematic tooth may not show symptoms, it’s also important to get twice-yearly dental exams to catch any dental decay, tooth fractures, or gum disease before it progresses.

If you’re concerned about a tooth or are ready for a checkup, call Bonita Grande Dental at (239) 301-2713 to schedule a dental exam.

Dangers of Avoiding Root Canal Treatment

While dentists can repair the outside of a tooth with a restoration or dental filling, infections in a tooth’s inner pulp do not heal on their own. If Dr. Gostigian diagnoses your tooth with an infection in the inner pulp, you will need immediate treatment to prevent the infection from spreading.

Even if you don’t feel pain, you may still need a root canal. Although the tooth’s nerves have died, the tooth is still at risk because bacteria and infection are present.

At Bonita Grande Dental, we do everything possible to preserve your natural teeth. If losing a tooth is unavoidable, we will help you find the best restoration possible. But your natural teeth are always your best teeth.

Having a root canal will not only end your pain and discomfort, but it will also give your tooth a second chance!

Root Canals in Bonita Springs

Root canal treatment is necessary to remove decay and infection from a tooth’s interior tissues. This tiny space inside the tooth, called the root canal, contains the pulp and main nerve. Removing this inner tissue is the best way to remove the infection.

We always start the procedure by applying a topical anesthetic, and Dr. Gostigian uses special techniques to deliver injections that are gentle and comfortable.

When you’re completely numb, Dr. Gostigian creates a small hole in the tooth to access the interior. Then, he removes the decayed, infected, or damaged pulp as well as the nerve of the tooth. He fills your root canals with a special material and seals the top to prevent bacteria from entering.

Since the tooth already has damage, we will most likely need to reinforce it with a dental crown so that it can function normally.

Options to Relieve Dental Anxiety

At Bonita Grande Dental, we prioritize comfortable dentistry, and offer sedation dental options for patients with anxiety. 

We won’t begin your root canal procedure until we know that you’re completely numb. Throughout the procedure, we’ll communicate with you to ensure that you’re comfortable, and your feedback determines how treatment will progress.

If you’d like to really relax and leave your worries behind, we can offer you safe, medication. You won’t go to sleep, but you will find yourself enjoying a relaxing sense of well-being and distance from the activities around you. If you have a higher level of anxiety, Dr. Gostigian can prescribe a calming medication for you to take before you arrive at our office.

You’ll even find our office stocked with stress-reducing amenities like pillows, blankets, and even scented towels because there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a little pampering along with your dental treatment!

Gentle Root Canal Treatment

A root canal will not hurt, because Dr. Gostigian will completely numb the area before starting. In fact, you will be happy to be pain-free once your tooth’s infection is gone!

Most people say that having a root canal feels about the same as getting a tooth-colored filling. Your gums may be a little tender the next day, but over-the-counter medication should take care of any discomfort.

Getting A Dental Crown After Your Root Canal

An infected tooth is a weak tooth, and removing its inner pulp can weaken it further. Although a root canal can save an infected or damaged tooth, it can still fracture if we don’t protect it from chewing forces.

That’s why we usually recommend restoring the tooth with a dental crown when the root canal is complete. When you visit our Bonita Springs dentist office for your root canal, we will discuss the best restoration for you. If it’s possible to restore the tooth with a dental filling, we will offer that option. But many people like the appearance of a dental crown because it looks more natural.

Emergency Root Canal Treatment

If you have severe tooth pain or experience trauma to a tooth, call Bonita Grande Dental right away at (239) 301-2713. We always leave open appointments in our schedule for urgent dental care and may want to see you the same day.

If we schedule the appointment for a different day, our emergency dentist in Bonita Springs may prescribe antibiotics or a pain reliever for you until the day of your treatment. 

Caring For Your Smile Post-Root Canal

After your root canal, it’s normal for your tooth to feel sensitive for a short time. You may have a temporary dental crown on the area too, so use these tips for the next few days:

• Minimize chewing on the tooth.
• Avoid crunchy, hard, or sticky foods.
• Take ibuprofen or another over-the-counter pain reliever to control discomfort.
• Brush your teeth normally.
• With a temporary dental crown, pull the floss between the teeth instead of upwards to avoid pulling off the crown.

If you experience fever, severe pain, swelling, or bleeding after your procedure, call our dental office immediately.

Contact Bonita Grande Dental for Comfortable Treatment

If you’re experiencing severe tooth pain or sensitivity or want to schedule your next dental exam, call our office today at (239) 301-2713! We’ll get you in for an appointment as soon as possible. Dr. Gostigian specializes in providing a comfortable, relaxed experience for root canal treatment in Bonita Springs