Endodontics
End the pain. Save the tooth.
When the nerve inside a tooth is infected, you don't have to lose it. Modern endodontic care — most often a root canal — removes the infection, ends the pain, and lets you keep your natural tooth.
Treatments
Three procedures, one goal — keep the tooth
Most cases resolve with a single root canal. The other two procedures handle the rare situations where one isn't enough.
Root Canal
When the nerve inside a tooth is infected, we numb the area, remove the infected tissue, clean the canal, and seal it with gutta percha — a proven, biocompatible material. A custom crown then protects the tooth for the long term.
Apicoectomy
When a root canal alone doesn't fully resolve an infection, we remove just the tip of the root and seal it from below. The work is done under magnification with precision instruments — only a few millimeters of tissue are touched.
Retreatment
When a previously treated tooth becomes painful again — sometimes months or years later — retreatment reopens the tooth, cleans the canals more thoroughly, and reseals. Usually saves the tooth without surgery.
Why It's Different Now
Less of a horror story than you've heard
The reputation of root canals comes from decades-old techniques. Modern endodontics is comfortable, fast, and highly predictable.
Modern anesthesia
The area is completely numb before anything starts. Most patients say a root canal feels like a long filling — not the procedure of legend.
Rotary endodontics
We use rotary instruments to clean canals — faster and more precise than the hand files of decades past, with less time in the chair.
95%+ success rate
Both first-time root canals and retreatments resolve the infection and save the tooth in over 95% of cases.
Lasting relief
The procedure ends the toothache that brought you in. A treated tooth, properly crowned, can last as long as your natural teeth.
What to Expect
A typical root canal, step by step
Numbing
Local anesthetic numbs the tooth and surrounding gum completely before any work begins.
Access
A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to reach the infected canal.
Clean & Seal
Infected nerve tissue is removed, the canal is cleaned with rotary instruments, and sealed with gutta percha.
Crown
A custom crown is placed to protect the tooth and restore full chewing strength.
FAQ
Common questions about endodontic care
Does a root canal hurt?
No — modern root canals are usually no more uncomfortable than a long filling. The procedure actually ends the toothache pain that brought you in. Some mild soreness for a day or two afterwards is normal, and over-the-counter pain relief is more than enough for most patients.
How long does the procedure take?
Most root canals are completed in one or two visits of 60–90 minutes. Apicoectomy and retreatment timing depends on the tooth — we'll give you a clear estimate at your consultation.
Why do I need a crown afterwards?
An endodontically treated tooth becomes more brittle and is more likely to crack without protection. A crown restores full chewing strength, prevents future infection, and improves the look of the tooth. Skipping the crown is the single biggest reason root canals fail.
What is gutta percha?
A biocompatible, rubbery material used to seal the cleaned canal. It's been the gold standard in endodontics for over a century — your body tolerates it well, and it forms a durable barrier against re-infection.
What if the root canal doesn't work?
It usually does — over 95% succeed. If a tooth doesn't fully heal or becomes painful again, the next step is either retreatment (a second, more thorough root canal) or apicoectomy (small surgery on the root tip). We discuss both options before any decision is made.
What happens if I don't treat an infected tooth?
An untreated infection can develop into an abscess, which is a serious problem that can cause bone loss in the jaw and spread the infection further. If you're in pain or have a swelling around a tooth, call us — we make room for emergencies.
Don't wait it out
Tooth pain doesn't go away on its own
If you're in pain, call us — we make room for emergencies. The sooner we see you, the more options we have to save the tooth.