Services
Endodontics & Root Canal Therapy
A root canal saves a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted. When the soft tissue inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed, treatment removes the source of the pain, cleans and seals the inside of the tooth, and lets you keep your natural tooth for years to come. Despite its reputation, modern root canal treatment with proper anesthesia is typically no more uncomfortable than having a routine filling placed — the procedure relieves pain, it doesn't cause it.
What is a root canal?
Inside every tooth, beneath the hard enamel and dentin, is a soft tissue called the dental pulp — a network of nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue that helped the tooth develop. When this pulp becomes infected or irreversibly inflamed because of deep decay, repeated dental procedures, a crack, or trauma, it causes pain — and left untreated, it can lead to an abscess and bone loss around the root.
A root canal removes the damaged pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the canals inside the root, and seals the space to prevent reinfection. The tooth is then restored — usually with a crown — and continues to function normally for years, often for a lifetime.
Signs a tooth may need a root canal
Some teeth announce the problem clearly; others are discovered on an X-ray before symptoms begin. Common signs include:
- A persistent or severe toothache
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the source is removed
- Tenderness or pain when chewing or touching the tooth
- Swelling in the nearby gum tissue, or a small pimple-like bump on the gum
- Darkening or discoloration of a tooth
- A cracked or chipped tooth that reaches the inner tissue
What happens during treatment
Root canal treatment follows a careful, methodical sequence:
- Diagnosis and imaging — we examine the tooth and take diagnostic images, including CBCT 3D imaging when needed, to assess the extent of infection and map the root anatomy
- Anesthesia — the tooth is thoroughly numbed with local anesthetic so you stay comfortable throughout
- Pulp removal and cleaning — a small opening is made in the tooth, the infected pulp is removed, and each canal is cleaned and shaped with specialized instruments
- Disinfection and sealing — the canals are irrigated with antimicrobial solutions, then filled and sealed with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha
- Restoration — a permanent filling or crown is placed to protect the tooth and restore full function
Why restoring the tooth matters
Because the tooth no longer has living tissue inside it, it can become more brittle over time. In most cases we recommend placing a crown after root canal treatment to protect the tooth and restore its strength for normal chewing. This final step is critical — a properly restored tooth after root canal treatment can last a lifetime.
Completed in our office
Root canal treatment is completed right here in our office, by the team that already knows your dental history. You will understand the plan, the timeline and the cost before treatment begins.
Ready to schedule?
Call the office or send an appointment request and our team will be in touch.