Root Canals

When the nerve of your tooth becomes infected, a successful root canal treatment lets you keep the tooth rather than having to pull it out. Keeping your tooth helps to prevent your other teeth from drifting out of line and causing jaw problems. Saving a natural tooth avoids having to replace it with an artificial tooth.

Sometimes a root canal is the only option left to help save a tooth. Root canals can be required for many situations. They are often simple comfortable procedures that can help to save a tooth that may otherwise be hopeless.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • Is it true that root canals are a painful procedure?

    Not normally, in fact, we are usually getting the person out of pain when we do a root canal.

  • Are root canals successful?

    In days gone by, the success rate was not so good. Also, discomfort was also common.

    Today, root canals are very successful and mostly pain-free.

    It is rare that we find it necessary to remove the tooth.

  • Do I need to take an antibiotic before or after my root canal?

    As with most things in dentistry every situation is different. Occasionally yes, but for the most part no.

  • Do I need to take pain medication?

    Ibuprofen (Advil) is likely all you will need, if you can not take ibuprofen then acetaminophen (Tylenol) will work too.

  • How many appointments will it take to do my root canal?

    Most of the time a root canal can be completed in one visit .  However you will need to return for a follow up appointment to have a filling or crown placed.