2633 W State Rd
Suite 434
Longwood, FL 32779
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2633 W State Rd
Suite 434
Longwood, FL 32779
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Being told you need a root canal can feel unsettling, but modern root canal therapy is a predictable and comfortable way to stop tooth pain and keep your natural tooth intact. When performed with current techniques and attention to comfort, root canal treatment relieves infection and restores function so you can eat, speak, and smile without ongoing pain.
At True Vine Dental Care we focus on conservative care that preserves your smile whenever possible. Our approach combines careful diagnosis, up-to-date instrumentation, and a focus on patient comfort so that you understand each step and feel confident in your treatment plan.
Root canal treatment removes diseased or dead tissue from inside a tooth, then seals the space to prevent re-infection. By saving the existing tooth structure rather than extracting it, this procedure maintains the tooth’s role in chewing and helps preserve the surrounding bone and gum tissue. Keeping your natural tooth avoids many of the complications that can follow an extraction.
Success rates for modern root canal procedures are high when cases are diagnosed early and managed appropriately. Advances in magnification, irrigation, and filling materials have improved predictability and long-term outcomes. With proper restoration after treatment, many teeth remain functional for decades.
Choosing root canal therapy is often the most conservative path to relieve pain and restore oral health. Our goal is to recommend the option that best supports long-term wellness, taking into account the tooth’s condition, surrounding bone support, and your overall dental needs.
Inside each tooth is a soft core called the dental pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When that tissue becomes inflamed or infected due to deep decay, repeated dental work, cracks, or trauma, the tooth can begin to cause noticeable symptoms. Sometimes the change is sudden and painful; other times it develops quietly and is first detected on an X-ray.
Paying attention to early warning signs helps you get treated before problems spread. Symptoms that commonly indicate pulpal involvement include persistent pain, heightened sensitivity, and visible changes to the tooth’s color or integrity. Prompt evaluation allows for accurate diagnosis and timely care.
Although every patient’s experience is different, the following signs often point to a tooth that may need root canal therapy:
Pain that lingers, intensifies with time, or wakes you at night is a strong indicator that the nerve inside a tooth is irritated or infected. This type of pain usually won’t resolve on its own and warrants a clinical exam and radiographs.
Brief sensitivity is common, but when hot or cold triggers pain that persists long after the stimulus is removed, the inner tissues may be inflamed or compromised.
Pain on biting can signal that the tooth’s internal structures or its supporting tissues are affected. Even pressure from chewing may cause discomfort when the pulp is involved.
A tooth that becomes gray, brown, or otherwise discolored after an injury or over time can indicate that internal tissues have changed or died. This is often a clue that the tooth needs evaluation.
Structural damage opens a pathway for bacteria to reach the pulp. Even cracks that seem minor can compromise the nerve and may necessitate root canal therapy to preserve the tooth.
Signs of infection near a tooth — such as local swelling, an abscess, or an unpleasant taste from drainage — require prompt attention to control infection and protect surrounding tissues.
Infections or advanced pathology around the root can weaken the bone that supports a tooth, leading to mobility. Timely treatment can often halt progression and allow for healing.
Early assessment and treatment reduce the chance that an infection will spread or that the tooth will suffer irreversible damage. Some teeth show clear symptoms, while others are identified by changes on radiographs during routine exams. Either way, prompt intervention limits complications and simplifies treatment.
Delaying care can allow infection to advance, potentially affecting adjacent teeth, supporting bone, and overall oral health. In more severe cases, a more invasive procedure may become necessary. Timely root canal therapy is often less complex and more predictable than emergency or delayed treatments.
A careful diagnostic process — including a clinical exam and appropriate X-rays — helps determine whether root canal therapy is the best option or if alternative treatments should be considered. We focus on evidence-based recommendations that aim to preserve function and comfort.
Contemporary root canal treatment is performed with attention to comfort and precision. The area is numbed with local anesthesia so most patients feel little or no pain during the procedure. Magnification and specialized instruments allow us to clean and shape the canals thoroughly while preserving healthy tooth structure.
Some teeth can be treated in a single appointment; more complex cases or those with active infection may require two visits to ensure thorough cleaning and healing. After the canals are cleaned and sealed with a biocompatible material, the tooth receives a temporary or permanent restoration to protect it from fracture and reinfection.
For patients who experience dental anxiety, sedation options are available and can be discussed during your consultation. Regardless of the approach, the focus is on predictable results and a calm, informed experience from diagnosis through restoration.
After treatment, it’s normal to experience some tenderness as the surrounding tissues settle. Discomfort is usually mild and brief, and it can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended. If antibiotics are prescribed to address an infection, complete the course exactly as directed.
Protecting the treated tooth until a final restoration is placed is important. Teeth that have had root canal therapy can be more brittle and are often reinforced with a crown or other protective restoration to restore full function and reduce the risk of fracture.
With consistent oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, many root canal–treated teeth continue to function for many years. Follow-up visits ensure the restoration remains secure and that surrounding tissues are healthy.
Anesthesia can leave your mouth numb for a short time. Take care when eating or drinking until normal feeling returns to avoid accidental biting or burns.
Mild tenderness around the treated tooth or in the jaw is common for a few days. Avoid hard or chewy foods on that side and follow any medication guidance your clinician provides.
If your dentist prescribes antibiotics for an active infection, take them exactly as directed to ensure effective resolution and reduce the risk of recurrent problems.
Teeth that have undergone canal treatment should receive a permanent crown or appropriate restoration in a timely manner to restore strength and chewing comfort.
Continue brushing and flossing normally, taking care around the treated area. Good hygiene supports healing and reduces the chance of future problems.
With proper care and restoration, a tooth that has received root canal therapy can remain functional for many years. Regular exams help us monitor healing and address any concerns promptly.
Our team is committed to clear communication and careful follow-up so you know what to expect at every stage. If you notice ongoing pain, swelling, or any other unexpected symptoms after treatment, contact the practice promptly for evaluation.
If you’d like to learn more about root canal therapy or discuss whether it’s the right option for a specific tooth, please contact us for more information. We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions and help you make an informed decision about your care.
A root canal procedure is the best way to save a tooth that has been damaged by decay or injury and preserve your natural smile. The alternative is an extraction and treatment to replace the tooth. While at times a tooth is non-restorable and an extraction is the only option, when possible, it’s best to try and save your natural tooth. With proper care, a tooth with root canal therapy care can serve your smile well for many years to come.
Despite lingering myths from before the age of modern dental anesthesia and technology, having a root canal procedure today is as routine and comfortable as visiting the dentist for a filling. While the procedure is performed under local anesthesia with your tooth completely numbed, we can also discuss options in dental sedation.
Whether the symptoms of a dental infection subside after a course of antibiotics, a draining abscess provides you with some temporary pain relief, or a tooth with radiographic evidence of pathology has not yet developed symptoms, it’s essential, before an infection worsens or occurs, to have a root canal procedure performed. In this way, the tooth can be disinfected, filled, and sealed to protect your health and avoid further problems.
If you have sustained a dental injury, have a toothache, jaw pain, swelling, or are experiencing any other unusual and uncomfortable oral symptoms, contact our office immediately for care. Dental problems that have not been evaluated and treated can significantly worsen, producing more severe damage and consequences for the involved teeth, your oral health, and even your overall wellbeing. Once you get in touch with our office, our friendly and compassionate office team will get you in for care at your earliest convenience.
While some root canal procedures can be completed in one visit, others may involve 2 or 3 appointments. How long it takes depends on various factors, including active infection, the number of canals in the tooth, and the tooth’s location or anatomy.
With a success rate that exceeds 95%, root canal therapy remains the most effective procedure to save a tooth in which the inner vital tissues have been damaged. However, as with all healthcare procedures, there are a small percentage of cases where the teeth become symptomatic a second time. The good news is that many of these teeth can still be saved with root canal retreatment or a minor surgical procedure known as an apicoectomy.
The best ways to maintain a tooth with root canal therapy are to get the proper restoration required to rebuild and protect the tooth, maintain proper oral hygiene, and schedule appointments for routine dental checkups and care.
Saving a tooth with root canal therapy is a wise investment that, in the long run, is typically less costly and invasive than having the tooth extracted and replaced with a fixed bridge or implant. As far as the exact cost of care, it can vary depending on which tooth is being treated. Many dental insurance plans provide coverage for root canal therapy. At the office of True Vine Dental Care, we do our best to optimize your dental benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Our staff will answer all your questions about the cost of care and discuss all your payment options.
At the office of True Vine Dental Care, we use the latest technology and most effective methods of care to provide precise and gentle care. Our reputation for excellence is based upon a consistent record of achieving successful treatment outcomes while providing prompt, stress-free, and convenient treatment for every type of dental need.
