Frequently asked questions

No. If performed by an experienced endodontist, root canal treatment is not much different than having a routine dental filling. In fact, most endodontic treatments relieve pain. Most stories of painful root canals do not hold true anymore due to the highly sophisticated technological advancements and perfection of the science behind root canal treatment. The key is employment of those advances in the care of a patient. If treated by an experienced endodontist you are likely to have a very positive experience.

An endodontist is a dental specialist who specializes in root canal treatment and related procedures. Endodontists have completed additional postgraduate training beyond regular dental school. They are trained to handle challenging endodontic cases in a proficient manner. By referring you to an endodontist, your dentist has assured that you will receive the highest level of endodontic care.

Some of the common signs of pulp damage include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, bite or pressure and chewing sensitivity, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums. Sometimes, there is absolutely no indication until your dentist finds it on a routine examination.

You do not need a driver for a root canal procedure and should be able to return to your daily schedule after the procedure. Expect to have some numbness around your lips and mouth for a few hours, and some soreness is expected.

A root canal treated tooth without a permanent restoration is susceptible to fracture. We do not recommend chewing on the tooth until it has received a permanent restoration.

Most patients return to their work or home and carry on with their daily activities on the same day. Most patients have little or no discomfort after their root canal procedures. Over-the-counter medications like Advil or Tylenol do just fine. Please follow the post-treatment instructions.

Once the dental pulp is involved with a disease process or trauma, the only alternative to root canal treatment is extraction. Replacing the tooth with a bridge, implant or partial denture are the options you have, which can generally be more costly than saving your tooth with root canal treatment.

Root canal procedures generally take an hour or under. You should plan for one hour for each visit. We provide different levels of sedation including nitrous oxide sedation and oral medications (a consultation will be done first to determine if needed). We use digital radiography resulting in 90% less radiation exposure for the patient. We also use electronic apex locators, particularly of value for our pregnant patients. We utilize the surgical operating microscope on every case along with rotary instruments, which leads to a higher success rate in endodontics. We are a fully digitized office and have patient comfort and convenience at the heart of our office operation.

Routinely, when we complete your root canal therapy, we put a temporary filling in the crown, the top part of your tooth. This filling gets replaced by your general dentist with a permanent restoration. You may need a crown. The type of restoration you receive will depend on the location and the condition of the tooth. Most posterior teeth will need to have a crown. This is a time sensitive phase of the overall treatment. Our office will advise you about your specific needs and timeline.

If a diseased or damaged pulp is not removed, the tooth and surrounding tissues may become inflamed and/or infected, eventually resulting in an abscess. This could potentially have undesirable consequences due to the spread of infection affecting other parts of the body.

In the short run that is a quick fix. But when one thinks about the options to replace it and the time and effort involved, it is a rather easy decision to save the natural tooth. In most cases, every attempt should be made to save your natural tooth, as there is no better alternative. In addition, extraction and replacement is usually much more costly.

Not really. The tooth has two blood supplies. The pulp or inner supply will be gone, but the outer supply that comes from the surrounding tissues, which supplies the root surface, will continue to function.

No. We use digital radiography. The radiation is very insignificant compared to conventional film-based x-rays. Our office adheres to the most rigorous standards of infection control advocated by OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control. We implement the guidelines of the American Dental Association. We utilize autoclave sterilization and barrier techniques for each of our patients.

The cost for root canal treatment varies depending on the tooth involved and case complexity. Molars are more difficult to treat, so the fee is usually more. Generally, endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth are less expensive than removal of the tooth and an artificial fixed replacement. We feel that the value of a natural tooth is irreplaceable. Most dental insurance policies provide some coverage for endodontic treatment.