If you've been told a tooth needs a root canal, there's no reason to panic. Root canal treatment is a safe, well-established dental procedure designed to remove infected or inflamed tissue inside a tooth and restore comfort and function. Advances in instruments, techniques, and anesthesia have made the experience much more predictable and comfortable than in the past.
At Davenport Dental Associates, our goal is to deliver care that preserves your natural teeth whenever possible. We combine clinical expertise with a focus on patient comfort so that undergoing root canal therapy feels like a sensible step toward long-term oral health rather than something to dread.
Saving a natural tooth is often the best outcome for oral health. When the inner tissues of a tooth (the pulp) are irreversibly damaged by decay or trauma, removing the infected material and sealing the tooth can prevent the spread of infection and maintain the strength and alignment of your bite. Compared with extraction, root canal therapy usually preserves chewing ability and prevents neighboring teeth from shifting.
Modern root canal procedures are performed with precision tools and techniques that minimize discomfort and maximize the chance that the treated tooth will last for many years. By retaining your own tooth structure, you retain the most natural appearance and function — an outcome that supports overall oral health and makes future care simpler.
Choosing to pursue treatment promptly when a tooth is compromised helps avoid more extensive problems later on. Timely intervention can reduce the risk of infections spreading to adjacent teeth or into the jawbone and can eliminate ongoing pain that affects sleep, eating, and general well-being.
Each tooth contains a central chamber filled with nerve tissue and blood vessels called the dental pulp. While the pulp helps a tooth develop, a fully formed tooth does not depend on a living pulp to function. The problem arises when decay, a crack, or an injury allows bacteria to reach the pulp and trigger inflammation or infection.
When that inner tissue is compromised, your body's natural response often includes pain, sensitivity, and sometimes swelling. The nerves inside a tooth can send intense signals when irritated, so sensitivity to temperature, pressure, or persistent aching often indicates that the pulp has been damaged.
Left untreated, infection inside a tooth can extend to the root tip and surrounding bone, producing more severe symptoms and complicating future treatment. Because pulp damage may sometimes develop without dramatic early symptoms, routine dental exams and X-rays play an important role in detecting problems before they escalate.
Pain that lingers or wakes you at night is a common reason people seek care. Unlike brief sensitivity from cold or sweet foods, a deep, persistent toothache—especially one that throbs or gets worse with movement—often signals that the pulp is irritated or infected and needs evaluation.
Temperature sensitivity that persists long after the stimulus is removed, or sudden sharp pain when biting down, can also indicate internal tooth problems. Discoloration of a single tooth, especially following an injury, and unexpected swelling of the gum near a specific tooth are additional signs that warrant prompt attention.
In some cases, a tooth may feel loose or uncomfortable under pressure, or small bumps may appear on the gum near the affected tooth (these can be drainage points for an abscess). Because symptoms vary, any combination of these changes should prompt a dental examination so the appropriate treatment can be recommended.
Root canal therapy begins with a careful assessment, which typically includes X-rays and a clinical exam. Treatment is performed under local anesthesia so the tooth and surrounding tissues are numb. For patients who experience anxiety, additional sedation options are available to promote relaxation and comfort during the procedure.
The dentist creates a small opening in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals. Diseased tissue is gently removed, the canals are cleaned and shaped to eliminate bacteria, and a biocompatible filling material is used to seal the space. This process prevents reinfection and readies the tooth for final restoration.
Depending on the tooth's anatomy and the presence of infection, treatment can often be completed in a single visit but sometimes requires two appointments. Your clinician will explain the recommended approach and any follow-up steps needed to restore the tooth fully.
After the procedure, it is normal to experience mild soreness as the tissues heal. This discomfort typically diminishes within a few days and is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers unless a prescription is specifically provided. Patients are advised to avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it has been permanently restored.
A temporary filling placed after root canal therapy protects the tooth until it can be rebuilt. In most cases a crown or other permanent restoration is recommended to restore strength and prevent fracture. Prompt completion of that final restoration helps ensure the treated tooth performs well for years to come.
Good oral hygiene, routine dental checkups, and prompt attention to any new symptoms are essential to the long-term success of root canal treatment. With appropriate care, teeth that have undergone root canal therapy can remain functional for the lifetime of the patient.
We understand that the idea of root canal therapy can be unsettling. Our office is committed to explaining each step clearly, answering your questions, and helping you feel confident about the recommended care. If you would like more information or want to discuss whether root canal treatment is the right option for you, please contact us for more information.
A root canal procedure is the best way to save a tooth that has been damaged by decay or injury and preserve your natural smile. The alternative is an extraction and treatment to replace the tooth. While at times a tooth is non-restorable and an extraction is the only option, when possible, it’s best to try and save your natural tooth. With proper care, a tooth with root canal therapy can serve your smile well for many years to come.
Despite lingering myths from before the age of modern dental anesthesia and technology, having a root canal procedure today is as routine and comfortable as visiting the dentist for a filling. While the procedure is performed under local anesthesia with your tooth completely numbed, we can also discuss options in dental sedation.
Whether the symptoms of a dental infection subside after a course of antibiotics, a draining abscess provides you with some temporary pain relief, or a tooth with radiographic evidence of pathology has not yet developed symptoms, it’s essential, before an infection worsens or occurs, to have a root canal procedure performed. In this way, the tooth can be disinfected, filled, and sealed to protect your health and avoid further problems.
If you have sustained a dental injury, have a toothache, jaw pain, swelling, or are experiencing any other unusual and uncomfortable oral symptoms, contact our office immediately for care. Dental problems that have not been evaluated and treated can significantly worsen, producing more severe damage and consequences for the involved teeth, your oral health, and even your overall wellbeing. Once you get in touch with our office, our friendly and compassionate office team will get you in for care at your earliest convenience.
While some root canal procedures can be completed in one visit, others may involve 2 or 3 appointments. How long it takes depends on various factors, including active infection, the number of canals in the tooth, and the tooth’s location or anatomy.
With a success rate that exceeds 95%, root canal therapy remains the most effective procedure to save a tooth in which the inner vital tissues have been damaged. However, as with all healthcare procedures, there are a small percentage of cases where the teeth become symptomatic a second time. The good news is that many of these teeth can still be saved with root canal retreatment or a minor surgical procedure known as an apicoectomy.
The best ways to maintain a tooth with root canal therapy are to get the proper restoration required to rebuild and protect the tooth, maintain proper oral hygiene, and schedule appointments for routine dental checkups and care.
Saving a tooth with root canal therapy is a wise investment that, in the long run, is typically less costly and invasive than having the tooth extracted and replaced with a fixed bridge or implant. As far as the exact cost of care, it can vary depending on which tooth is being treated. Many dental insurance plans provide coverage for root canal therapy. At the office of Davenport Dental Associates, we do our best to optimize your dental benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Our staff will answer all your questions about the cost of care and discuss all your payment options.
At the office of Davenport Dental Associates, we use the latest technology and most effective methods of care to provide precise and gentle care. Our reputation for excellence is based upon a consistent record of achieving successful treatment outcomes while providing prompt, stress-free, and convenient treatment for every type of dental need.
Our goal is to help every patient experience the benefits of good oral health and a beautiful smile. We value the trust you have placed in our office and strive to provide solutions that meet your dental needs and expectations of care.
Walk-Ins Welcomed - Hablamos Español
Phone
