Gentle, modern treatment to save infected teeth and relieve pain
Root canal therapy has a reputation for being painful, but with modern techniques and anesthesia, it's typically no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. In fact, root canal treatment relieves the severe pain caused by infected tooth pulp.
This procedure saves teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted, preserving your natural smile and preventing the need for more complex treatments like implants or bridges.
Root canal therapy is needed when the tooth's pulp (soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels) becomes infected or inflamed. Signs include:
Sometimes there are no symptoms, and the need for root canal is discovered during a routine dental X-ray.
We'll take X-rays to see the extent of infection and assess the tooth's root canals. This helps us plan the treatment precisely.
Local anesthesia ensures you feel no pain during the procedure. Most patients report feeling only slight pressure, similar to getting a filling.
We place a rubber dam around the tooth to keep it dry and clean, then create a small opening in the crown to access the infected pulp.
Using specialized instruments, we carefully remove the infected pulp, clean the root canals, and shape them for filling. This process eliminates bacteria and infected tissue.
The cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha, which seals the canals to prevent future infection.
A temporary filling closes the access opening. Most root canal-treated teeth need a crown for long-term protection, which is placed at a follow-up appointment.
Don't suffer with tooth pain - root canal therapy can save your tooth
Book Your Emergency AppointmentIt's normal to experience some tenderness for a few days after treatment. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until the permanent restoration is placed.
Once your tooth receives its permanent crown or filling:
With proper care, a root canal-treated tooth can last a lifetime!
No! This is the biggest misconception about root canals. Modern techniques and effective anesthesia mean most patients feel no pain during the procedure - just slight pressure. In fact, the procedure relieves the intense pain caused by the infection. Any discomfort after treatment is typically mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain medication.
Most root canal treatments can be completed in one or two appointments, each lasting 60-90 minutes. The exact time depends on which tooth is affected (front teeth have fewer roots than back teeth) and the complexity of the case.
If left untreated, an infected tooth will not heal on its own. The infection can spread, leading to:
Root canal treatment is always preferable to extraction because it preserves your natural tooth.
Yes! Since we use only local anesthesia, you'll be able to drive yourself home. The anesthesia will wear off within a few hours, though your mouth may feel numb for 2-3 hours after the procedure.
In most cases, yes. Root canal treatment removes the tooth's blood supply, which can make it more brittle over time. A crown protects the tooth from fracturing and restores its function and appearance. Front teeth may sometimes be restored with just a filling if there's enough healthy tooth structure remaining.
Root canal therapy has a success rate of over 95%. Most root canal-treated teeth last a lifetime when properly restored and cared for. In rare cases where re-infection occurs, the tooth can often be saved with retreatment.
The cost varies depending on which tooth is affected (front teeth cost less than molars) and the complexity of the root canal system. Most dental insurance plans cover 50-80% of endodontic treatment. We'll provide a detailed cost estimate before treatment and can process your insurance claim directly through HICAPS.
Saving your natural tooth is almost always the better option. Extraction may seem simpler and less expensive initially, but replacing the missing tooth with an implant, bridge, or denture ends up costing significantly more and requires additional procedures. Natural teeth are irreplaceable in terms of function and aesthetics.