Fast Relief

for Toothache

A root canal is a dental procedure needed when the tooth’s root becomes inflamed or abscessed. The procedure involves cleaning the nerve canals of the tooth and then sealing the nerve canals with a special cement and rubber cones.

The financial implication of a root canal is almost always a top concern for our patients. The cost of a root canal depends on the complexity of the procedure and the number of nerve canals in the tooth. Front teeth have one, back teeth can have up to four. At our office, we can help alleviate these concerns about cost by offering an affordable payment plan with 0% interest.

It is normal to feel tenderness in the area for several days after your root canal, as well as some soreness in your jaw after keeping it open for the entire procedure. Over-the-counter pain medications such as Advil can help alleviate the discomfort. As a general rule, the tooth feels almost normal after 24 hrs.

he dental procedure will usually take between 60 and 120minutes. We perform the entire root canal in one visit. The number of nerve canals, difficulty in finding them and their size can also affect the total length of the procedure.

Common symptoms requiring a root canal can include:

• Prolonged sensitivity to cold and hot.(Pain continues beyond 30 seconds after the stimulus is removed)
• A dull,  non-specific ache that will only go away with pain pills.
• Pain on biting on a specific tooth.
• Mobility, redness and/or swelling of the face.

Many people ask, “Are root canals painful?”  The short answer is NO. Given proper freezing, a root canal is like a filling that takes a long time. Some people fall asleep, but if you’re the real nervous type, we have ways to make you more relaxed. Ask us.

In most cases, a crown is required to restore the structural strength of a weakened tooth that has had a root canal. We always strongly recommend a crown to protect your investment in the root canal tooth. What you CAN control is when you have the crown placed, keeping in mind that the longer you wait, you risk tooth fracture or breakage.

1. A well done root canal very rarely results in continued discomfort. After a few days, if you experience:

• Severe pain or pressure that lasts for more than a few days
• Visible swelling inside or outside the mouth
• Original symptoms returning

Please give us a call and we’ll investigate the situation.

You should experience continual gradual healing during the first one to seven days after your root canal.

Depending on the degree of difficulty of the root canal, Dr Chuck may refer you to an endodontist who specializes in root canal treatment. Endodontists are dentists with expensive microscopes and  2 additional years of training specifically for root canals.

We offer options to treatment and their associated costs. Sometimes it makes more sense to remove the tooth for other treatment and that’s ok. We respect that everybody’s situation is different. Dr Chuck often lists options and prices for the patient and then explains what he would do, if he was in that situation.