Relieve the pain. Save your tooth.
If a tooth has been throbbing, aching when you bite, or reacting to hot and cold long after you’ve stopped eating, a root canal may be what finally brings relief. Despite its reputation, a root canal doesn’t cause pain. It removes the source of it. For most patients, the procedure feels about the same as getting a filling.
What Is a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment is also called endodontics, from endo (“inside”) and dont (“tooth”). It treats the soft tissue at the center of a tooth, called the pulp. The pulp holds the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels, which is why trouble there can hurt so much.
When the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, we gently remove the damaged tissue, clean and seal the inside of the tooth, and protect it so you can keep chewing, smiling, and living normally with your own natural tooth.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- Constant or throbbing tooth pain
- Sharp pain when you bite down
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
- Swelling or tenderness in the gums near a tooth
- A tooth that has darkened in color
- A small bump on the gum that comes and goes
Pain sometimes fades on its own. That usually doesn’t mean the problem is gone, because an infection inside a tooth doesn’t heal by itself. The sooner it’s treated, the simpler the treatment tends to be.
What Causes Root Canal Problems?
- Deep decay that reaches the center of the tooth
- Cracks or chips that let bacteria inside
- Injury to the tooth, for example from sports or a fall
- Repeated dental work on the same tooth over the years
What to Expect
- Comfort first. We numb the tooth and the area around it completely, just as we would for a filling. For most patients, this is the hardest part.
- Cleaning the inside of the tooth. Through a small opening, the inflamed tissue is removed and the canals are cleaned and disinfected.
- Sealing. The canals are filled with a safe, biocompatible material, and the tooth is sealed to keep bacteria out.
- Protecting the tooth. Most treated teeth, especially back teeth, need a crown afterward. The crown restores strength and helps the tooth last for many years.
Afterward, the tooth may feel tender for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers usually take care of it, and most people return to work or normal routines the same day.
Your Care, Coordinated
Many root canals, especially on front teeth and premolars, can be done right here in our office. Molars have more canals and more complex anatomy, and teeth that need retreatment take advanced tools and experience. For those cases, we partner with two trusted local endodontists (root canal specialists): Media Endodontics and Drexel Hill Endodontics.
Either way, you won’t be handed off and left to figure it out. We diagnose the problem, explain your options in plain language, coordinate the referral, and then place your final crown here, so your care stays in familiar hands from start to finish.
Nervous About Root Canals?
You’re far from alone. Many people have put off care for years because of a story they heard or a hard past experience. We’ll go at your pace, explain each step before we do it, and check in with you along the way.
When a Tooth Can’t Be Saved
Saving your natural tooth is always the first goal. If a tooth is too damaged to repair, you’re still in good hands. Both of our doctors are Fellows of the Resnik Implant Institute and can walk you through tooth replacement options, including dental implants.
Making Care Affordable
- We accept most PPO insurance plans
- 0% interest financing for 12+ months through Cherry
- $100 comprehensive exam for patients without insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a root canal hurt?
With modern numbing, most patients say it feels like getting a filling. The pain people associate with root canals usually comes from the infection itself, which the treatment relieves.
How long does it take?
Many root canals are finished in one visit. Placing a crown afterward usually takes a separate appointment.
Can’t I just have the tooth pulled?
Sometimes that’s an option, and we’ll talk it through with you. Keeping your natural tooth usually helps prevent shifting teeth, chewing problems, and the cost of replacing the tooth later.
How can I protect my tooth afterward?
Get the recommended crown placed promptly, keep up with regular cleanings, and avoid chewing ice or very hard foods. A well-restored tooth can last a lifetime.
What if I’m in pain right now?
Call us. We’ll do our best to see you quickly. You can also visit our Emergency Dentistry page.
Ready to Feel Better?
Tooth pain doesn’t have to be something you live with. We’ll find the cause, explain your options clearly, and help you get comfortable again.
Bloomfield Dental · 4130 Bloomfield Ave, Drexel Hill, PA 19026