Root Canals

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 Po Dentistry, 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 Po Dentistry, 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.

A root canal is a dental procedure that removes diseased or damaged pulp from inside a tooth to eliminate infection and preserve the remaining tooth structure. The dentist cleans and shapes the internal root canal system, then fills and seals the canals with a biocompatible material to prevent reinfection. This treatment relieves pain, stops the spread of infection, and helps maintain chewing function and jawbone support.

Root canal therapy is typically recommended when the dental pulp has become irreversibly inflamed or necrotic due to deep decay, trauma, or repeated dental procedures. Preserving a natural tooth with root canal therapy is often preferable to extraction because it maintains the tooth's role in biting, speaking and protecting adjacent teeth. With modern techniques and materials, success rates are high and long-term outcomes are excellent at the office of Po Dentistry.

Common warning signs that may indicate the need for root canal therapy include persistent or severe toothache, increased sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when biting or chewing, swelling around the affected tooth, and a tooth that has become darkened or discolored. Some patients also notice a small pimple or drainage on the gums near the affected tooth or unusual mobility when biting. Because symptoms can vary, not all infected teeth cause intense pain; some remain quiet while showing radiographic signs of infection.

An accurate diagnosis requires a clinical exam and dental imaging, and may include pulp testing and review of your symptoms and dental history. Routine comprehensive exams often detect early signs of periapical pathology before major symptoms develop. If you experience concerning symptoms, prompt evaluation helps protect surrounding structures and increases the chances of saving the natural tooth.

Modern root canal procedures are performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the tooth and surrounding tissues so most patients experience little to no pain during treatment. Many patients describe the relief they feel once the infected pulp is removed, especially compared with the intense toothache that brought them in. Additional comfort measures, such as nitrous oxide or oral sedation, are available for patients with dental anxiety.

After the procedure, it is normal to have mild to moderate soreness for a few days as the surrounding tissues heal, and this discomfort is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers recommended by your dentist. Following care instructions, avoiding hard foods on the treated tooth, and scheduling the final restoration all help minimize post-treatment symptoms. Contact the office promptly if you experience severe pain, persistent swelling, or other signs of complications so your dentist can evaluate and manage the situation.

The procedure begins with administering local anesthesia to ensure comfort, followed by isolation of the tooth with a rubber dam to keep the area dry and free of saliva. The dentist creates a small access opening to reach the pulp chamber and root canals, then carefully cleans and shapes the canals using specialized instruments and irrigation solutions to remove infected tissue and bacteria. Once the canal system is disinfected, the dentist fills and seals the canals with a biocompatible material to prevent reinfection, and places a temporary or permanent restoration to protect the tooth.

Some cases are completed in a single visit while others require two or more appointments depending on the tooth's anatomy and presence of active infection, and intracanal medicaments may be placed between visits when needed. Advanced imaging and magnification tools help improve precision and outcomes, and your dentist will discuss the recommended treatment sequence for your situation. After filling the canals, a final restoration such as a crown is often planned to restore strength and function.

The length of a root canal appointment depends on the tooth involved, the number and complexity of canals, and whether an active infection is present; single-rooted teeth often require less chair time than molars with multiple, curved canals. Many straightforward cases can be completed in one appointment that lasts between thirty minutes and two hours, while more complex treatments or infected teeth may require two or more visits. Your dentist will explain the expected timeline and factors that influence treatment duration during your consultation.

If multiple visits are needed, the dentist may place a temporary filling or medicated dressing between appointments to promote healing and reduce bacteria. Scheduling for a final crown or permanent restoration is usually arranged after the canals are sealed to ensure the tooth is fully protected from fracture and reinfection. Clear communication about your case helps plan visits efficiently and reduces surprises during treatment.

Immediately after treatment you may have lingering numbness for an hour or two and mild tenderness as surrounding tissues recover; this is normal and typically resolves quickly. You should avoid chewing on the treated tooth until a permanent restoration is placed, and follow postoperative instructions about oral hygiene, pain management and any prescribed medications. If antibiotics are prescribed, complete the course as directed to address or prevent infection.

Continue brushing and flossing the treated area gently and maintain regular dental checkups to monitor healing and the integrity of the restoration. Because a treated tooth can be more brittle, timely placement of a crown or appropriate permanent restoration is important to prevent fracture and ensure long-term function. Contact your dentist if you notice increasing pain, swelling, a return of symptoms, or problems with the temporary restoration.

While root canal therapy has a high success rate, reinfection can occur due to missed or complex canals, new decay that exposes the sealed canals, or a compromised restoration that allows bacteria to re-enter the tooth. In some cases the internal anatomy is difficult to clean completely, or the original infection was extensive, both of which can increase the risk of persistent or recurrent infection. Good restorative care and regular dental exams reduce the likelihood of reinfection by protecting the filled canals from new bacterial access.

If a treated tooth becomes reinfected, signs can include a return of pain, swelling, a draining sinus tract, or radiographic evidence of worsening periapical changes. Treatment options include retreatment of the root canal to address missed canals or persistent bacteria, apical surgery in select situations, or extraction if the tooth cannot be predictably restored. Early evaluation improves the chances of saving the tooth with retreatment or other interventions.

The primary alternative to root canal therapy is extraction of the affected tooth, followed by replacement options such as a dental implant, bridge, or removable partial denture to restore function and appearance. Extraction eliminates the source of infection but results in loss of the natural tooth and may require additional procedures to restore chewing function and maintain neighboring tooth alignment. Each replacement option has different clinical considerations, healing timelines, and implications for surrounding structures.

When possible, preserving the natural tooth with root canal therapy is often recommended because it maintains natural tooth structure, supports the jawbone, and typically provides a more conservative long-term solution. Your dentist will review the pros and cons of all options based on the tooth's condition, overall oral health and your personal preferences. A thoughtful discussion helps you choose the approach that best balances health, function and long-term outcomes.

A crown is commonly recommended after root canal treatment, especially for posterior teeth that endure strong chewing forces or teeth that have lost substantial tooth structure due to decay or fracture. The crown restores strength, protects the remaining tooth structure from fracture, and seals the tooth against bacterial recontamination. Without an appropriate permanent restoration, a treated tooth is more susceptible to splitting or failing under normal function.

The timing of crown placement varies, but dentists usually schedule a permanent restoration soon after root canal therapy to reestablish full form and function. In some cases an onlay or other restorative option may be appropriate depending on the amount of remaining tooth structure and aesthetic needs. Your dentist will recommend the ideal restoration to maximize longevity and protect the work done during endodontic treatment.

Po Dentistry uses modern instruments, digital imaging and established infection control protocols to provide precise, safe root canal care while minimizing discomfort. Local anesthesia and additional comfort options such as nitrous oxide or oral sedation are available for patients who need help managing anxiety, and rubber dam isolation improves the quality and cleanliness of the treatment field. The practice follows ADA and CDC-recommended sterilization and safety practices to protect patient health throughout every procedure.

Care is individualized and begins with a thorough exam and review of your medical and dental history to determine the most appropriate treatment plan and follow-up schedule. Clear communication about what to expect, postoperative instructions and timely restorative planning helps patients feel informed and supported during recovery. If you have concerns or develop symptoms after treatment, contacting the office promptly allows the team to assess and address any issues quickly.