Missing teeth can cause other teeth to shift, affect your ability to properly chew and ruin your smile. Also, tooth extraction often is more painful than the infection itself, and replacing an extracted tooth with an artificial one requires additional dental visits that can quickly add up. See Tooth Saving Tips for more information.

Please refer to the video in our "What to Expect" link of our website, or look at this for more detailed explanation.

No.  Since local anesthetic is used, the tooth is completely numb and you should not experience discomfort during the procedure. Patients often say that a root canal feels similar to when they get a filling.  

Every tooth is different and the length of the appointment is determined by the complexity of the tooth. For instance, molars are more complex, so they will require more time. Also, some teeth require additional medication to heal and may need additional appointments. In general, most treatment appointments last 1-1.5 hours once treatment is started.

The only time someone else is required to come to the appointment is when a driver is needed for patients being sedated for treatment. Otherwise, the procedure is similar to having a filling completed in that only local anesthetic is used. People often have root canal treatment and go back to work the same day (the numbness should wear off in 2-4 hours).

The cost associated with this procedure can vary depending on factors such as the severity of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth or bridge.  

For a financial estimate, our doctors will need to diagnose the tooth to know what procedure needs to be performed, and our team will need your insurance information to estimate coverage and your out of pocket expense. 

Other Common questions/Misconceptions: Myths about Root Canals