Root Canal Treatment at Naples Endodontics

If you are experiencing pain, swelling, sensitivity to hot or cold, and or have discomfort biting and chewing you may require a root canal treatment. At Naples Endodontics, our doctors provide expert root canal therapy to save your natural tooth, relieve pain and or infection, and restore your oral health.

What is a root canal?

Each tooth has a central area that contains the nerves and blood vessels called the pulp. This specialized tissue can become damaged or infected from decay, cracks, or trauma. A root canal treatment is performed to remove this damaged pulp, disinfect the pulp space, and seal the space to prevent further contamination and allow for healing.

Steps to Root canal treatment

  • Initial examination: the doctor will discuss your symptoms, do diagnostic testing, and use imaging to come up with a diagnosis and treatment plan.
  • Anesthesia and access: once profound anesthesia has been obtained using local anesthesia the doctor will make a small access opening in the biting surface of your tooth to expose the pulp space.
  • Cleaning and shaping: special tools and chemicals will be used to clean the pulp space of tissue, debris, and bacteria. Shape is created in the space to allow for proper sealing of the root canal.
  • Sealing the canal space: biocompatible filling materials are then used to fill and seal the pulp space.
  • Restoration: upon completion of the root canal treatment the doctor will seal the access. Most commonly a temporary filling is used. Follow up with your dentist within 30 days of treatment for final restoration.

What are the alternatives to root canal treatment?

Unfortunately, the alternative is usually extraction of the tooth.

Root Canal FAQs

Common signs include lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when chewing, a darkened tooth, swollen or tender gums, or a pimple-like bump on the tissue. Some infected teeth cause no symptoms at all, so an exam with digital X-rays or 3D CBCT imaging is the only way to know for sure. Patients in Naples, Bonita Springs, and Marco Island can call (239) 593-8844 for an evaluation.
No. With modern local anesthesia, a root canal feels much like getting a routine filling. Mild tenderness for a few days afterward is normal and usually managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Most root canals at Naples Endodontics are completed in one visit. Treatment appointments are scheduled for around 90 minutes to include examination, diagnosis, discussion of treatment and the actual procedure. Some cases may require a second visit based on complicated canal anatomy or draining infections.
Endodontists are dental specialists who complete two or more years of advanced training after dental school, focused on diagnosing tooth pain and performing root canal treatment. Dr. Timothy Talbott and Dr. Scott Shwedel use advanced tools like 3D cone beam CT imaging to treat complex cases, and they work closely with your general dentist on follow-up care. Since an endodontist's practice focuses solely on root canal treatments they tend to be more efficient and more experienced than general dentists.
Often, yes, especially for molars and premolars. A root-canal-treated back tooth is more prone to fracture, and a crown protects it for long-term chewing. Naples Endodontics coordinates with your general dentist, who typically places the final crown or filling.
Saving your natural tooth with a root canal is usually the better choice. Extraction can lead to shifting teeth, bone loss, and the added cost of an implant or bridge. A root-canal-treated tooth with a proper restoration can last a lifetime.
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4521 Executive Dr
Suite 201

Naples, FL 34119
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