Root Canal Therapy

Root canals can become necessary when an infection occurs inside a tooth. This can happen when harmful bacteria are able to make their way inside a tooth, either through a decayed area or through a crack in a tooth. When this happens, the least invasive restorative option is to remove the infected dental tissue, clean and seal the inside of the tooth, and place a dental crown over the tooth to support it and protect it from further damage. The only alternative is to remove and replace the tooth, which we try to avoid whenever possible.

Before a root canal treatment is performed on a tooth, our team will use a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and the area around it for a more comfortable experience. You may feel some pressure on your tooth as it’s being worked on, but it should not be a very uncomfortable or painful process. Once the numbness begins to wear off post-treatment, you may find it beneficial to take over-the-counter pain medication for a day or two. Our practice also offers nitrous oxide sedation, which can make treatments like root canals more comfortable.