Root Canal Therapy
Few dental procedures are as misunderstood as root canal therapy. In reality, modern root canal treatment is a comfortable, highly successful procedure designed to relieve pain, eliminate infection, and save natural teeth.
At Jason Roth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, our goal is always to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible. Root canal therapy often allows patients to avoid extraction while restoring long-term oral health and comfort.
What Is a Root Canal?
Inside every tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When the pulp becomes infected or severely inflamed due to decay, trauma, cracks, or deep restorations, treatment may be necessary to save the tooth.
Root canal therapy removes the damaged tissue, disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals the area to prevent future infection.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Treatment
Common symptoms include:
• Persistent tooth pain
• Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Pain when chewing
• Swelling of the gums
• Tooth discoloration
• Abscess formation
In some cases, infection may be present even when symptoms are minimal.
Why Save the Natural Tooth?
Preserving your natural tooth is almost always preferable to extraction when possible.
Saving the tooth helps:
• Maintain proper chewing function
• Preserve bite alignment
• Prevent neighboring teeth from shifting
• Avoid more complex restorative procedures
Root canal treatment allows many patients to keep their natural teeth for years or even decades.
What Happens During Treatment?
The procedure typically involves:
Diagnosis
Dr. Roth evaluates the tooth and determines whether root canal therapy is appropriate.
Cleaning the Canal System
The infected pulp is removed and the root canals are carefully cleaned and disinfected.
Sealing the Tooth
The canals are filled and sealed to prevent future infection.
Final Restoration
Most teeth receiving root canal treatment benefit from a crown to provide long-term protection and strength.
Is Root Canal Therapy Painful?
Modern root canal treatment is typically no more uncomfortable than receiving a routine filling.
Advances in anesthetics and treatment techniques allow patients to remain comfortable throughout the procedure.
In fact, root canal therapy is designed to relieve pain—not cause it.
Recovery After Treatment
Most patients return to normal activities shortly after treatment.
Mild soreness may occur for a few days but is generally manageable with over-the-counter medications.
Our team will provide complete post-treatment instructions to support a smooth recovery.
Protecting Your Tooth
After treatment, regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits help ensure long-term success.
When combined with a properly placed crown, many root canal-treated teeth remain healthy and functional for many years.
Schedule an Evaluation
If you are experiencing tooth pain, sensitivity, or signs of infection, don’t wait to seek treatment.
Early diagnosis often allows problems to be addressed before they become more serious.
Contact Jason Roth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today to schedule an evaluation and learn whether root canal therapy may help save your tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a root canal eliminate my tooth pain?
In most cases, root canal therapy removes the source of infection and significantly reduces or eliminates discomfort.
Is extraction better than a root canal?
Saving a natural tooth is usually the preferred option whenever possible.
How successful are root canals?
Root canal therapy has a very high success rate and is one of the most predictable procedures in dentistry.