Signs you may need one
- Pain that lingers after hot or cold
- A toothache that wakes you at night
- A tender, swollen spot on the gum near one tooth
- A tooth that has turned darker
Some infected teeth cause no pain at all and show up only on an X-ray.
What happens
We numb the tooth fully before we start. The dentist opens the tooth, cleans out the infected nerve and seals the canals. Most patients say it feels like a long filling. A back tooth usually needs a crown afterward.
When we refer
We treat front teeth and most premolars here. Molars with curved or narrow canals go to an endodontist, a dentist who does only root canals. We tell you who and why, and we place the crown afterward.
Questions about root canal treatment
Does a root canal hurt?
The tooth is numb during treatment. It may be sore for a few days afterward. Call us if swelling starts or the pain gets worse.
Can I have the tooth pulled instead?
Yes, that is an option. We explain what a missing tooth means for the teeth around it, and what replacing it costs, so you can choose.
Reviewed by Dr. Nora Halvorsen, DMD, October 7, 2026