What is a root canal?

A root canal is a dental treatment that removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth. The inside of the tooth is cleaned, disinfected, filled, and sealed to help save the natural tooth.

How do I know if I need a root canal?

You may need a root canal if you have severe tooth pain, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling, tenderness, a darkened tooth, or signs of infection. The dentist will confirm this with an exam and diagnostic imaging.

Modern root canal treatment should not be painful. The area is numbed with local anesthesia, and the procedure is designed to relieve the pain caused by infection inside the tooth.

Why would I need a root canal instead of a filling?

A filling repairs damage on the outside structure of the tooth. A root canal is needed when decay or infection has reached the pulp and nerve inside the tooth.

Can a root canal save my tooth?

Yes. Root canal treatment is designed to save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it. After treatment, the tooth can still look and function like a normal tooth.

What happens during a root canal treatment?

The dentist removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, fills and seals the space, then protects the tooth with a filling or crown.

How long does a root canal take?

Many root canals can be completed in one visit, but some cases may require more than one appointment depending on the severity of the infection or damage. Parkwood Dental’s page also mentions same-day root canal treatment in Bradenton.

Will I need a crown after a root canal?

Many teeth need a crown after a root canal, especially back teeth that handle heavy chewing. A crown helps protect the treated tooth from cracking or breaking.

What is the alternative to a root canal?

The main alternative is removing the tooth. However, extraction can leave a gap that may require a dental implant, bridge, or other replacement option. Saving the natural tooth is often preferred when possible.

What happens if I do not get a root canal?

If an infected tooth is left untreated, the infection can worsen and may lead to an abscess, more pain, swelling, bone damage, or the need to remove the tooth.

A Family Dentist in Bradenton

for Every Age in Your House

Parkwood Dental has been serving Bradenton families since 2006. Your child can come in for a first cleaning, your parents can come in for a crown, and you can take care of your own dental needs, all in the same practice, with the same team. With two locations and four dentists on staff, we can usually care for your whole family without sending anyone across town or making you wait weeks for one specific dentist's schedule to open up.

4.9

4.9 stars across 514 Google reviews. Family owned since 2006.

Not sure which location? Request an appointment.

New to area, need a Dentist! Been a while, improve my smile!

You Shouldn't Have to Shop Around for a Family Dentist in Bradenton

Too many families end up splitting their dental care between two or three offices or settling for whichever dentist happens to have an opening that week. And if you’ve ever left an appointment with a treatment plan longer than you expected and no clear explanation for it, you may not be in a hurry to try another new office.

Parkwood Dental was built differently. Our team and schedule are designed so your kids, your parents, and you can all receive care in one practice, without being passed from office to office.

You Shouldn't Have to Shop Around for a Family Dentist in Bradenton

Most households end up splitting between two or three dentists or stuck with whoever happens to have an opening that week. And if you’ve ever left an appointment with a treatment plan longer than you expected and no real explanation for it, you’re probably not in a hurry to book anywhere new. We built our schedule and our team so one office can handle your kids, your parents, and you, without passing anyone around.

What New Patients Get

New patients start with an $89 exam, along with any necessary X-rays when applicable. You’ll leave your first visit understanding what’s going on, what your dentist recommends, and why not holding a list of procedures with no explanation attached.

Family Dentistry in Bradenton, All Under One Roof

A chipped tooth at soccer practice. A toothache starts the first thing in the morning. A cleaning you’ve been meaning to schedule for months. When something comes up, patients can often be seen on the same day. Parkwood Dental has added the space, dentists, and staff needed to make that possible.

And nobody here is going to make an issue of how long it’s been since your last visit.

Every appointment starts with where you are today.

Many patients stay with the practice for years, returning for routine cleanings, their children’s first visits, wisdom teeth, restorative care, and whatever comes next. Because once you’ve built a relationship with a dental team you trust, you shouldn’t have to start over every few years.

Between our West Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch offices, four dentists are available to care for patients. That means getting an appointment doesn’t depend on a single dentist’s calendar.

A Family-Owned Dentist in Bradenton Since 2006

Dr. Oscar Hernandez Jr. opened Parkwood Dental in 2006 and still practices here today. His son, Dr. Oscar “Tito” Hernandez, now practices alongside him, together with Dr. Thao Nguyen and Dr. Collin Chavous.

The practice has even refunded a patient after a planned procedure was determined to be unnecessary, the kind of decision that reflects a straightforward approach to patient care.

What Bradenton Families Say

One Google reviewer, Kianté J., shared that she felt no judgment despite a long gap since her last dental visit and left the office with all of her questions answered.

How It Works

Call or send the form.

Call (941) 254-2595 or fill out the short form below. Expect a response within one business day, often sooner.

Choose a location and time.

Pick West Bradenton or Lakewood Ranch, whichever works best for your family and schedule.

Come in for your exam.

Meet your dentist, complete any necessary X-rays, and ask every question you have.

Leave with a clear plan

We'll explain what we see and what we recommend in plain language before any additional treatment is scheduled.

FAQ

Common Questions Before Booking

Will I feel pressured into treatment I don't need?

Our goal is to explain what we see, what we recommend, and why. Patient reviews frequently mention feeling informed and comfortable asking questions, and the practice has previously refunded a patient after a planned procedure was determined to be unnecessary.

Can you see my whole family, including my kids?

Yes. With four dentists across two Bradenton-area locations, Parkwood Dental can care for patients at different ages and stages of dental health.

What if it's been years since anyone in my family saw a dentist?

That’s completely okay. Every new patient starts with where they are today. Your dentist will evaluate your current oral health, answer your questions, and help you understand the next steps without making an appointment about how long it’s been.

Book Your Family's First Visit

New patients start with an $89 exam, along with any necessary imaging when applicable. Get the answers you need, a treatment plan you can understand, and a dental team your family can keep coming back to.