Root Canal Therapy

Odessa, Florida

Preserve damaged teeth and restore healthy smiles

Root canal therapy offers a reliable solution to save damaged teeth, restoring their form and function. Dr. Norton and her team at Chrysalis Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry are committed to using the latest technology and techniques to provide you with the best possible patient experience. Contact our Odessa practice to get started today!

Our TReatments

Understanding Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is a relatively straightforward endodontic procedure designed to treat teeth with an infected or inflamed inner pulp resulting from extensive decay, trauma, damaged restorations, tooth chips or cracks, or repeated dental procedures.

Without prompt treatment, tooth pulp damage can lead to complications, including severe pain, an abscessed tooth, bone loss around the tooth’s root, and even tooth loss. The infection may also affect the surrounding teeth and jawbone and may even enter the bloodstream, leading to serious health concerns. Root canal therapy relieves the pain caused by inner pulp damage and helps preserve your natural smile.

Signs of tooth pulp damage requiring root canal therapy include the following:

Severe and persistent tooth pain
Pain that increases with chewing or pressure
A tooth chip or crack that exposes the inner pulp
Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
A persistent unpleasant taste in the mouth
A pimple-like bump on your gums, indicating an abscess
Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums

What Is the Root Canal Process?

Most root canal treatments can be completed in a single appointment. Depending on your unique needs, we may capture Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scans, which provide a detailed 3D view of your teeth, tooth roots, and oral structures. The intricate images help us detect hidden roots or unusual anatomy, allowing for precise treatment.

Before your root canal, we will numb the treatment area for your comfort. We also offer sedation dentistry options, if needed, to help you feel calm and relaxed. Your root canal treatment involves removing the diseased pulp tissues, reshaping your root canals, cleaning the area, and placing a biocompatible, rubbery material called gutta-percha to seal the tooth roots and prevent further infection. The last step is sealing the area with a temporary filling. The tooth may be prone to fracture after root canal therapy, which is why we always recommend a dental crown for protection after root canal therapy is complete.

What Are the Benefits of Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy offers numerous benefits, including the following:

It can save natural teeth, which is always the best option for your smile.
It is relatively straightforward and comfortable, like having a filling on the inside of a tooth.
Contrary to popular belief, it relieves pain rather than causing it, restoring your healthy smile.
It prevents the need for extraction and tooth replacement with an implant or bridge.
It prevents the infection from spreading to the jawbone or entering the bloodstream.
Your treated tooth can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.

A Word from Your Dentist

Dr. Norton always says that if she had a dental problem in her own mouth and could save the tooth with a root canal, she would. If the situation and prognosis permits, nothing is better than keeping your natural tooth.

Patients often ask, “Don’t root canals hurt?” Dr. Norton explains that people who need root canals often only remember the pain they were in to begin with. To fix the pain the patient needs a root canal procedure with the dentist. The root canal procedure itself is painless and will leave you feeling relieved and pain-free.