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Endodontics – Root Canal

Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, Oakleaf, Orange Park

Endodontic therapy is more commonly referred to as a root canal. As an endodontist, Dr. Blankenship can care for the pulp inside your tooth. Decay of the tooth pulp becomes very painful when the nerve is dying. A root canal can relive your pain and even save your tooth.

The tooth pulp

Inside a tooth is soft tissue called the tooth pulp. It contains nerves, lymph tissue, arteries, and veins. When the pulp is infected, the toothache will let you know about it. Over time, decay and infection in the pulp will spread through the gums to the jawbone and cause the loss of the affected tooth. Bacteria enter the bloodstream through the small decaying blood vessels in the gums and tooth and travel throughout the body. That is how gum disease is connected to heart disease, stroke, and other diseases such as diabetes perhaps. Research into this is ongoing.

During a root canal the diseased tissue is removed, saving your tooth, gum tissue, and jawbone. Dr. Blankenship will place a dental crown over the tooth to protect and strengthen it. An all-porcelain crown will look and feel like your original tooth, but without the pain.

Root canals and pain

Many people cringe when they hear “root canal”, but the days of long, painful root canal procedures are long gone. Lasers and computers have transformed dentistry, allowing:

Shorter procedures
Instant images to discuss with your dentist
Far less pain
Far less chance of infection
Almost no bleeding
Shorter recovery periods from endodontic work
Far greater preservation of healthy tooth tissue

Dr. Blankenship’s soft tissue laser quickly removes decay and bacteria, sealing the remaining tissue around the tooth as he works. Once the crown is bonded over the clean tooth stub, you will be able to chew normally again. Dr. Blankenship uses CEREC technology which allows him to create and place your all-porcelain crown the day he does your root canal, so there is no need for a temporary crown and return visit.

If you are anxious about your root canal, you can choose to have sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry uses an oral sedative that helps you relax and makes the local anesthesia more effective.

Preserving your teeth and your smile’s beauty

While endodontic therapy is not considered to be a cosmetic dentistry procedure, it does have cosmetic benefits as well as health benefits. A root canal saves your tooth. If you choose extraction instead, you run the risk of jawbone tissue loss, which can give your face a sunken and aged look.

If you are in dental pain, please contact us today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Blankenship, in the Ponte Vedra and Oakleaf, Jacksonville, Florida area.