If one of your teeth is causing chronic pain or the surrounding gum tissue seems inflamed, your dentist might recommend addressing the problem with a root canal. And while you may have heard mention of the dental term, many people don’t know exactly what root canal therapy is. While perhaps not as confounding as dental treatment terms like apicoectomy and curettage, the words “root” and “canal” raise more questions than answers for those unfamiliar with the treatment. With a bit of thought, you might determine that “root” pertains to the unseen part of the tooth that anchors it to the jawbone, but what is the “canal,” and what does the treatment entail with either of them?

Preventative periodontal treatment is one of the most important steps you can make to keep your teeth and gums clean, healthy, and beautiful. Our highly trained dental hygienists at Island Tower Dentistry are committed to making your teeth cleanings comfortable and, dare we say, pleasant.

If you are one of the 65 million or so Americans struggling with periodontal disease, you might be a prime candidate for LANAP® protocol laser gum surgery. The FDA-approved treatment has quickly emerged as a more successful and less painful than the alternative conventional gum surgery. Clinical studies have proven that the innovative treatment spurs significant periodontal regeneration with new bone growth and gum tissue reattachment. Dr. Jonathan Van Dyke and his team at Island Tower Dentistry in Marco Island, Florida are pleased to offer this groundbreaking treatment to its southwest Florida patients.