Fort Myers Root Canal Dentist

If tooth pain that has reached the nerve, we can still save your tooth

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If you’re in pain right now,
start here

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A tooth that throbs, wakes you at night, or hurts to bite on usually means the nerve inside it is inflamed or infected. That is the point at which a filling is no longer enough, and a Fort Myers root canal becomes the treatment that saves the tooth.

The first thing to know is that the procedure is the thing that stops the pain, not the thing that causes it. The second is that you don’t have to decide anything today. At EZ DENTAL we start with an exam and an x-ray, tell you exactly what is happening inside the tooth, and lay out your options.

Signs you may need a root canal

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Pain that lingers after hot or cold

Sensitivity that fades in a second or two is normal. Pain that keeps going for thirty seconds or more after you finish a hot coffee or a cold drink points to a nerve that is inflamed rather than simply sensitive.
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A deep, throbbing ache

Nerve pain tends to be constant and hard to pinpoint. It often gets worse lying down, and it can spread into the jaw, the ear, or the side of the face.
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Pain when you bite or chew

If one particular tooth hurts under pressure, the tissue around its root is likely inflamed. Many patients notice this first at a meal rather than at rest.
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Swelling, a gum pimple, or a bad taste

A small bump on the gum near the tooth is a sinus tract, which is infection finding a way out. Facial swelling is more serious and should be seen the same day.
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A tooth that has darkened

A single tooth turning grey or brown, particularly one that took a knock years ago, often means the nerve has died quietly.
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Pain that stopped on its own

This one catches people out. A tooth that hurt badly last month and then went quiet has not healed. The nerve has usually died, and the infection carries on into the bone without the warning signal. It still needs treating.

Find out what is wrong

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Free Consultations Available

A free limited exam and x-ray identifies which tooth is involved and whether the nerve is affected, so you leave knowing what you are dealing with and what it will take to fix.

What a root canal involves

A root canal removes infected tissue from inside your tooth while keeping the natural tooth in place. We numb the area first, then:

Step 1:
Clean the tooth

We remove the infected tissue and carefully clean and shape the canals. Digital x-rays and, when needed, CBCT imaging help us see the tooth clearly.

Step 2:
Seal the canals

Once everything is clean, we fill and seal the canals to help prevent bacteria from getting back inside.

Step 3:
Protect the tooth

Many root canal-treated teeth need a dental crown for added strength. With our in-office technology, we can often design and place your permanent crown in a single visit.

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What to expect afterwards

⇢ Expect some tenderness for 2–4 days, especially when biting. Over-the-counter pain relief is usually enough.

⇢ Chew on the other side until your permanent restoration is in place, and avoid hard or sticky foods if you have a temporary filling.

⇢ Brush and floss as usual, including around the treated tooth.

⇢Call us if pain gets worse after the first few days, you notice swelling, or your temporary filling comes out.

Answers to your questions about root canals

 

Does a root canal hurt?
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The tooth is numbed with local anesthetic before anything begins, and most patients say the appointment itself feels much like having a filling, with pressure and vibration but not pain. The ache that brought you in is usually the worst part, and treatment is what relieves it. Afterwards the tooth is tender for a few days as the surrounding tissue settles. Tell us during the procedure if anything feels sharp, and we will add more anesthetic.
How long does a root canal take?
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It depends on the tooth. A front tooth has a single canal and takes less time than a molar with three or four. Some teeth are finished in one appointment and others are treated across two. We will tell you which we expect at the evaluation, along with whether a crown appointment needs to follow.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
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Usually, yes, particularly for a back tooth. Removing the pulp and shaping the canals leaves the tooth weaker and more likely to fracture under chewing pressure, and a crown covers and holds it together. Front teeth with minimal damage can sometimes be restored with a filling instead. We will tell you which applies to your tooth before treatment, so the full plan and cost are clear from the start.
What happens if I do not have the root canal done?
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The infection does not resolve by itself. It spreads out of the root tip into the surrounding bone, which can produce an abscess, facial swelling, and in some cases a spreading infection that needs urgent treatment. The tooth usually becomes unsaveable, so the choice that was a root canal today turns into an extraction later. If the pain has stopped, the infection is still there, quietly, without the warning signal.
How much does a Fort Myers root canal cost?
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The cost depends on which tooth it is and how many canals it has, and whether a crown is needed afterwards. That is why we start with a free limited exam and x-ray rather than quoting a figure over the phone. EZ DENTAL is in-network with most major PPO plans, and our team reviews your benefits and gives you a written estimate covering the root canal and any restoration before treatment begins. Financing is available through CareCredit, Sunbit, and Proceed Finance if you would rather spread the cost.

Is extraction a better option than a root canal?
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Keeping your own tooth is almost always the better outcome. A natural tooth holds its position, keeps the neighboring teeth from drifting, and maintains the bone around it in a way no replacement quite matches. Extraction is also not the end of the cost, because the gap then needs filling with a bridge or a denture. That said, a tooth with a fractured root or too little structure left to restore cannot be saved, and removing it is the right decision. We will tell you honestly which situation you are in.

How long does a treated tooth last?
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A root canal that is properly sealed and promptly restored can last many years. Two things put that at risk: delaying the crown or final filling, which lets bacteria back in, and a fracture in a tooth left unprotected. Keep up your usual brushing, flossing, and check-ups, and have the permanent restoration placed when we recommend it.
Can a root canal be redone if it fails?
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Sometimes. A previously treated tooth that becomes painful or infected again may be a candidate for retreatment, where the original filling material is removed and the canals are cleaned and sealed again. Retreatment is more demanding than a first-time root canal and is usually work for an endodontist. If your treated tooth is giving you trouble, come in and we will x-ray it and tell you what the options are.

Why patients choose EZ DENTAL for root canal treatment

Diagnosis before anything else

A free limited exam and x-ray tells us whether the nerve is genuinely involved. Some patients come in expecting a root canal and leave with a filling.

Same-day appointments when we can

Urgent problems are worked into the schedule the day you call whenever possible, including for patients new to our office. Describe your symptoms on the phone and our team will tell you how soon to come in.

The crown done here too

Ceramill Motion 3 milling means many permanent crowns are designed and fitted in one visit, so protecting the tooth after treatment does not mean weeks in a temporary.

English or Spanish

Our team explains the diagnosis, the procedure, and what your plan covers in whichever language you would rather have the conversation in.

Insurance and Financing for root canal treatment

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EZ DENTAL is in-network with most major PPO plans, and our team checks your benefits and gives you a written estimate for the whole course of treatment before it starts, so there is nothing unexpected on the bill.

If you’re without insurance or your benefits will not stretch to cover both the root canal and the crown, we offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit, with quick approval and payments spread over time. More detail is on our payment plans page.

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Book your root canal evaluation

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If a tooth is aching, waking you at night, or hurting to bite on, the next step is finding out why. Call EZ DENTAL at (239) 288-7275 or request an appointment online. New to our office? Our new patients page covers what to bring and what the first visit involves.

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Don’t take our word for it

Ez dental logo

Don’t take our word for it

Our Fort Myers dentist’s office

location icon 18070 S Tamiami Trl, Suite 14
     Fort Myers, FL 33908

calendar icon Monday–Thursday: 8:00am–4:00pm
Friday: Closed

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