Riverview, FL 33578
Root Canal Treatment in Riverview, FL
A root canal clears infected or inflamed tissue out of a tooth so you can keep the tooth instead of losing it. At Omni Dental Studio in Riverview, Dr. Ariana Merchi examines the tooth with digital X-rays and then either treats it in-office or refers you to a trusted endodontist, depending on how complex the case is. Either way, the office coordinates your care from start to finish.
Facial swelling with a fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing? Don't wait for a dental appointment. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
How Do I Know If I Need a Root Canal?
You can't know for sure without an exam and an X-ray, but certain symptoms point strongly toward an infected or inflamed nerve. Some teeth that need a root canal hurt a lot. Others don't hurt at all, because the nerve has already died. These are the most common warning signs:
A throbbing or spontaneous ache
Pain that starts on its own, pulses, or wakes you at night is the classic sign of an inflamed nerve.
Hot or cold sensitivity that lingers
A quick zing that fades is common. Sensitivity that hangs on after the drink is gone suggests the pulp is in trouble.
Pain when you bite down
Tenderness when you press on one particular tooth can mean inflammation or infection at the root tip.
A tooth turning gray or dark
Discoloration can mean the nerve inside has died, even if the tooth feels fine.
A pimple-like bump on the gum
A small bump near a tooth is often an abscess draining. It needs treatment even when it doesn't hurt.
A deep crack or old injury
Cracks and past trauma can let bacteria reach the nerve, sometimes months before symptoms show up.
Not sure how urgent it is? Read when a toothache is an emergency. If you're in pain, call by 3:00 PM on a weekday and the office will do its best to see you that day. Learn more about emergency dental care in Riverview.
Will My Root Canal Be Done Here or by a Specialist?
It depends on your tooth. After examining it, Dr. Merchi decides whether the root canal can be handled in-office or whether a trusted endodontist (a root canal specialist) is the better choice for your case, and explains her recommendation after the exam.
Complexity usually comes down to the tooth itself. Front teeth tend to have fewer canals, while molars have more and are more involved to treat. Choosing the right setting for each case is part of a conservative approach to care.
If you are referred, Omni Dental Studio stays involved and coordinates with the specialist. Once the root canal is finished, you come back here for the dental crown that protects the tooth over the long term.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
The tooth is numbed, the infected pulp is removed, and the canals are cleaned and sealed. A crown usually follows at a later visit. Most root canals take one or two appointments, depending on the tooth and how many canals it has.
- Local anesthesia numbs the tooth and the area around it.
- A small opening in the top of the tooth gives access to the pulp.
- The infected or inflamed tissue is removed, and the canals are cleaned and shaped.
- The canals are filled and sealed to keep bacteria out.
- A crown is placed afterward to protect the tooth from cracking.
Nervous about it? Nitrous oxide is available for anxious patients. See your sedation options in Riverview or read the full guide to what a root canal is like. Before any treatment, the team checks your benefits and gives you a clear cost estimate. Details on plans and financing are on the insurance page.
Root Canal FAQs
Does a root canal hurt?
The tooth is numbed with local anesthesia first, and for most people the treatment feels a lot like having a filling. The point of a root canal is to stop the pain an infected nerve causes. Expect the tooth to be tender for a few days afterward; an over-the-counter pain reliever taken as directed on the label usually handles it.
Is a root canal better than pulling the tooth?
In most cases, yes. Keeping your own tooth usually works better over the long run than any replacement. Pulling a tooth leaves a gap that can let neighboring teeth drift and the jawbone shrink, and the gap then needs a replacement. Dr. Merchi will explain both options for your tooth so you can decide with the full picture.
Will I need a crown after my root canal?
Usually, yes. A tooth that has had a root canal is more brittle and more likely to crack, so a crown is typically placed at a follow-up visit to protect it and restore normal chewing. Even when the root canal itself is done by an endodontist, the crown is handled here at Omni Dental Studio.
Can I drive myself home after a root canal?
Yes, if you had only local anesthesia. If you used nitrous oxide, you can drive once it has worn off, which typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. If you had oral conscious sedation, plan on someone else driving you home.
Does insurance cover root canal treatment?
Many dental plans cover root canals as basic or major care after your deductible, though coverage varies by plan. Omni Dental Studio accepts most major PPO plans (not Delta Dental), checks your benefits, and gives you a clear cost estimate before treatment. If your case goes to an endodontist, that specialist's fees apply. CareCredit, Cherry, Sunbit and HFD financing are available, and HSA/FSA cards are accepted.
My tooth stopped hurting. Do I still need the root canal?
Very possibly. Pain can stop because the nerve inside the tooth has died, but an infection can keep spreading into the bone without hurting. An infected pulp won't heal by itself, so if a root canal was recommended, it is worth keeping that appointment even when the tooth feels fine.
Read more about root canal care at the practice on the official root canal page, the practice's official website.
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Omni Dental Studio is the dentist in Riverview, FL at 10049 Leather Fern Lane, serving the 33578, 33569 and 33579 ZIP codes.
Omni Dental Studio · Riverview, FL
Tooth Pain That Won't Let Up?
An exam and X-ray show whether the tooth can be saved and who should treat it. Call by 3 PM on a weekday and the office will do its best to see you that day.
- Address10049 Leather Fern Lane
Riverview, FL 33578 - Phone(813) 586-1990 (call)
(813) 851-2320 (text) - HoursMon–Fri 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Special appointments for emergencies