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Root Canal Treatment
Nothing is more painful than a significant toothache, and a major one is often a sign you need a root canal. Root canal treatment lets you save your tooth instead of having it extracted — we recommend it over extraction whenever possible because keeping your natural tooth matters for your long-term health.
What a Root Canal Actually Is
A root canal cleans out damaged or infected tooth pulp. Without it, the tooth eventually dies and has to be extracted — and the infection can spread further and cause serious illness beyond just the tooth itself.
Why You'd Need One
Deep cavities: decay works through the enamel, then the dentin, and eventually reaches the nerve. Once it's at that point, the nerve has to be removed to save the tooth. Tooth trauma: even a light hit can damage a tooth, and if it goes untreated, the nerve can die and cause significant pain later. Older teeth: naturally more susceptible to cavities and infection over time, which can eventually require a root canal.
The Procedure
You're given local anesthesia and the tooth is numbed. The infected nerve is removed and the infection cleared — an antibiotic is used if needed. The nerve chamber is then filled and sealed, remaining decay is removed, and a permanent filling is placed. An impression is taken for a dental crown, which is fitted afterward. Every case is a little different, and we'll walk through the specifics for your tooth during the appointment.
Is It Painful?
The common belief that root canals are painful has it backwards — the toothache from the infection beforehand is the painful part; the procedure itself is designed to eliminate that. Some soreness for a few days afterward is normal.
Aftercare
Avoid chewing on the treated side, stick to soft foods for a few days, brush gently, and let your mouth rest while it heals.