Root Canals Can Save You From Tooth Replacement
With over 35 years of experience and IV Sedation certification from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Jay Ajmo has helped thousands of Palm Beach Gardens patients save their teeth with comfort. If you’re living with a persistent toothache, lingering sensitivity to heat or cold, or pain when biting down, you may need a root canal in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
It sounds intimidating. But with the assistance of modern techniques and our sedation options available at PGA Dentistry, most patients are surprised by how easy the experience really is! And one of the best parts is that in most cases, Dr. Ajmo completes root canal treatment in a single appointment.
Call our dental office at (561) 627-8666 or book online for your consultation.
What Is Root Canal Therapy and When Do Patients Need It?
Inside every tooth is a soft tissue called pulp, a network of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that helps your tooth grow. When bacteria reach the pulp through deep decay, a crack, or trauma, infection sets in. Left untreated, that infection causes escalating pain and can spread to surrounding teeth, your jawbone, and beyond.
Root canal therapy removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the root canals, and seals the tooth with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. A custom dental crown is then placed to restore full strength and function. This results in your natural tooth being saved, your pain disappearing, and your smile remaining intact.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal in Palm Beach Gardens
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Palm Beach Gardens dentist:
- Severe, persistent toothache, especially when chewing or biting
- Temperature sensitivity that lingers after the hot or cold source is removed
- Darkening or discoloration of a tooth
- Swelling or tenderness in the surrounding gums
- A recurring pimple-like bump on your gums (a sign of dental abscess)
- A cracked, chipped, or fractured tooth accompanied by pain
Not every infected tooth causes obvious symptoms. Regular dental exams at PGA Dentistry allow us to identify early-stage pulp damage before it becomes an emergency.
What Makes Dr. Ajmo's Root Canal Treatment Different in Palm Beach Gardens
Dr. Ajmo brings 35 years of comprehensive restorative experience to every procedure, along with Diplomate certifications from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and the American Board of Oral Implantology (one of only 500 dentists worldwide to hold that distinction), and IV Sedation certification earned through a hospital-based training program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center.
But what does that mean for your root canal treatment?
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Single Appointment (In Most Cases)
Dr. Ajmo’s clinical precision means you rarely need to make multiple trips to our dental practice. The infection is treated, the canals are cleaned and sealed, and you leave the same day with a clear plan for your permanent crown.
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IV Sedation + Oral Conscious Sedation Available
Dr. Ajmo is one of the very few general dentists in Palm Beach Gardens certified to administer IV sedation directly in his office. If the thought of a root canal makes your heart race, IV sedation allows you to sleep through the entire procedure, safely and comfortably.
Prefer a lighter option? Oral conscious sedation keeps you deeply relaxed and at ease without full sleep. Most patients report little to no memory of the procedure.
How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?
Root canal costs in Palm Beach Gardens vary depending on which tooth is being treated, the severity of your infection, and whether a crown is needed afterward (it almost always is). Here are typical ranges in our area:
- Front tooth (anterior): $700 to $1,100
- Premolar: $800 to $1,200
- Molar: $1,000 to $1,500+
- Dental crown (typically required after): $1,200 to $1,800
Most dental insurance plans classify root canal therapy as a major restorative procedure and cover 50 to 80% of the cost after your deductible. Our team will verify your benefits before your appointment, so there are no financial surprises.
No Insurance?
Our in-house savings plan significantly reduces the cost of root canal treatment for uninsured patients. We also offer flexible financing options so you can begin treatment immediately and pay over time.
Don’t let cost be the reason you delay treating an infected tooth, as delays always lead to more complex (and more expensive) care. Call PGA Dentistry at (561) 627-8666 to discuss your options.
What to Expect: PGA Dentistry's Root Canal Process
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Dr. Ajmo examines the affected tooth and surrounding tissue, using digital X-rays to assess the extent of infection and the anatomy of your root canal system.
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Sedation
We administer a local anesthetic to completely numb the area. If you’ve opted for IV or oral sedation, that’s administered now.
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Pulp Removal
Dr. Ajmo creates a small opening in the crown of the tooth and carefully removes the infected pulp tissue, cleaning and shaping each root canal.
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Disinfection and Sealing
The canals are thoroughly irrigated and disinfected, then filled with gutta-percha, a biocompatible, rubber-like material proven to seal the canal against future infection.
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Dental Crown Placement
A dental crown is recommended to restore full strength and appearance to the tooth. We’ll walk you through your crown options at your appointment and coordinate timing so you’re never left with an unprotected tooth longer than necessary.
Root Canal vs. Tooth Extraction in Palm Beach Gardens: Which Is the Right Choice?
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Your Natural Tooth is Irreplaceable
Dental implants and bridges are excellent restorations, but nothing functions quite like the tooth you were born with. Root canal therapy, when followed by a crown, preserves that.
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Extraction Can Have Down-the-Road Consequences
Removing a tooth without replacing it leads to bone loss at the extraction site, shifting of neighboring teeth, and changes to your bite. Replacement with an implant or bridge adds high cost and additional procedures down the road.
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Root Canals Have High Success Rates
When performed properly and followed by a crown, root canal therapy has a documented success rate of 86-98%. Most treated teeth last for decades.
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Root Canal Recovery is Quick
Many patients return to normal activities within 24 hours of a root canal. Extraction recovery, particularly when bone grafting for a future implant is needed, can take considerably longer.
The only circumstance in which extraction is the better option is when the tooth is structurally too compromised to support a crown. Dr. Ajmo will give you a clear, honest assessment at your consultation so you can make a fully informed decision.
Root Canal Recovery
Recovery after root canal therapy is typically fast. Most PGA Dentistry patients return to work, school, and normal daily activities within 24 hours.
You can expect:
- Mild soreness or tenderness around the treated tooth for 2 to 5 days
- Slight sensitivity when biting before the permanent crown is placed
- Minor swelling in the surrounding gum tissue
Managing your recovery will include:
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) as directed
- Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until your crown is placed
- Stick to soft foods for the first day or two
- Continue brushing and flossing gently around the area
Call PGA Dentistry at (561) 627-8666 if you experience severe pain that worsens after the third day, significant swelling that spreads, or fever. These symptoms can indicate a rare complication that needs prompt attention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal Therapy
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Most root canals at PGA Dentistry are completed in a single appointment lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Dr. Ajmo completes the majority of root canal treatments in one visit. Complex or heavily infected cases may require a follow-up, and we’ll let you know upfront if that’s likely for your situation.
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Can I drive myself home after a root canal?
Driving yourself home after your root canal depends on your sedation choice. If you choose IV sedation or oral conscious sedation, you will need a designated driver and should plan to rest for the remainder of the day. If you opt for local anesthetic only, you’re fine to drive yourself.
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Why save the tooth instead of pulling it?
Your natural tooth is always the best option when it can be saved. Extraction leads to bone loss, shifting teeth, and the eventual need for an implant or bridge, which costs more and takes longer than a root canal and crown. Dr. Ajmo recommends extraction only when the tooth is too structurally compromised to restore.
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Does PGA Dentistry offer emergency root canal appointments?
Yes. If you’re in severe pain, call us at (561) 627-8666, and we will do everything we can to see you the same day. You should not have to suffer through tooth pain, and we take dental emergencies seriously. We serve patients from Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Juno Beach, North Palm Beach, and beyond.
Schedule Your Appointment at PGA Dentistry
If you’re dealing with tooth pain in Palm Beach Gardens, don’t wait for it to get worse. Dr. Jay Ajmo has spent over 35 years helping patients throughout Palm Beach County save their natural teeth, without fear, without discomfort, and without multiple appointments when one will do.
Call our general dentist in Palm Beach Gardens at (561) 627-8666 or book online.
Complimentary Consultation
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7100 Fairway Dr Ste 59,
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
(561) 627-8666
- Monday: 8am - 5pm
- Tuesday: 8am - 5pm
- Wednesday: 8am - 5pm
- Thursday: 8am - 5pm
- Friday: 8am - 1pm
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
