When You Need a Root Canal
When decay or a crack reaches the nerve inside a tooth, that tissue becomes inflamed or infected. Root canal therapy removes the infected pulp, disinfects the space, and seals it — ending the pain while keeping the tooth itself.
We confirm the diagnosis with an exam and an X-ray before we start, so a sensitive tooth is not treated as a root canal when a filling or a bite adjustment would solve it.
- Persistent, throbbing toothache
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold after the source is gone
- Pain when biting or applying pressure
- A darkening tooth
- Swelling or a recurring bump on the gum
What Happens Afterwards
A treated tooth becomes more brittle over time, so we usually recommend a crown to protect it. With that protection in place, a root-canal-treated tooth can serve you for many years.
The Days After Treatment
The tooth can feel tender to biting for a few days because the ligament around it was irritated. That is expected. Chew on the other side, and use the pain relief we recommend rather than waiting it out in silence if it is sharp.
Call us if swelling grows, if the temporary filling comes out, or if the bite feels high. A high bite is a quick adjustment. Leaving it can make a settled tooth feel like the infection never left.
Does It Hurt?
This is the question we hear most, and the honest answer is that the toothache beforehand is usually far worse than the treatment. The area is fully numbed, and the procedure relieves pressure rather than adding to it. Nitrous oxide is available on request.
Our doctors have advanced endodontic training, so most root canals are handled here rather than referred elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to just pull the tooth?
How many visits does it take?
How long is recovery?
In Pain? Don't Wait.
Toothaches don't resolve on their own. Call us and we'll get you seen and out of pain.