Emergency Dentistry
Root Canal Treatment
When the inside of a tooth becomes infected, a root canal clears the infection, ends the pain, and lets you keep your natural tooth — possibly for the rest of your life.
Inside every tooth is a soft core of nerve and tissue called the pulp. When decay or a crack lets bacteria reach it, the pulp becomes infected — which is what causes that deep, throbbing toothache. A root canal removes that infected tissue, cleans and seals the inside of the tooth, and saves it from having to be pulled. Despite its reputation, a modern root canal is much like getting a filling: the goal is to relieve your pain, not add to it.
Why It Comes to This
Prevention is the real win
Almost every root canal starts as something small — a cavity or a hairline crack that goes unnoticed because it doesn't hurt yet. That's exactly why regular checkups matter so much: caught early, the same problem is often just a simple filling.
Here's the honest part. By the time a tooth genuinely hurts, the nerve inside is usually already infected or dying — and at that point your realistic choices narrow to two:
Save It
Root canal
We remove the infection and seal the tooth, so you keep your own natural tooth and the bite, bone, and roots that come with it.
Remove It
Extraction
We take the tooth out and plan to replace it — a valid path, but one that means losing a natural tooth that could often have been kept.
What to Expect
Comfortable and straightforward
First
Numb & comfortable
The tooth and the area around it are fully numbed with local anesthesia. For most people, the procedure feels similar to having a filling done.
Then
Clean & seal
We gently remove the infected pulp from inside the tooth, clean and shape the canals, and seal them to keep bacteria out.
After
Protect the tooth
Because a treated tooth can become brittle, it's usually restored with an onlay or a crown so it's strong enough to last. With good care, a treated tooth can last many years — possibly a lifetime.
A note from Dr. Dulay
"Nothing we make replaces a healthy natural tooth as well as the one you were born with. When a root canal can save that tooth, I'll tell you honestly — and if it can't, I'll tell you that too. The choice is always yours."
Dr. Rajvinder Dulay
Have a tooth that's hurting?
Book a ConsultationCommon Questions
Root canals, answered
Does a root canal hurt?
The procedure is done with the tooth fully numbed, so for most people it feels much like getting a filling. A root canal is actually meant to relieve the pain of an infected tooth, not cause it. Some tenderness for a few days afterward is normal and usually settles quickly.
Do you offer sedation?
Yes. Along with local anesthesia, we offer oral sedation — a prescribed pill taken before your visit to help you feel calm while staying awake — and IV sedation for a deeper level of relaxation. If you feel anxious about treatment, just let us know and we'll talk through which option fits you and your health history.
I've read that root canals are unhealthy — is that true?
You may have seen claims online that root-canal-treated teeth cause illness. Those ideas trace back to research from about a century ago that hasn't held up under modern study, and the major dental and endodontic organizations have found no credible scientific evidence that a properly treated root canal causes disease elsewhere in the body. We respect that some people see it differently, and we'll never pressure you — we'll just give you honest information so you can decide.
Should I get a root canal or just have the tooth pulled?
Whenever a tooth can be saved, keeping your natural tooth is usually the better choice for your bite, your bone, and your comfort. Extraction is a valid option too, especially if a tooth can't be saved — but it means replacing the tooth afterward. We'll lay out both paths honestly so the decision is yours.
How long does a root-canal-treated tooth last?
With a proper restoration, usually a crown, and good day-to-day care, a treated tooth can last many years and often a lifetime. Occasionally a tooth needs retreatment down the road, and we'll always be straight with you about what to expect.
Will I need a crown afterward?
Usually, yes. A tooth can become more brittle after a root canal, so it's typically protected with a crown that restores its strength and lets it stand up to normal chewing for the long term.
How can I avoid needing a root canal?
Prevention is the best medicine. Regular checkups and cleanings catch cavities and cracks while they're small and easy to fix with a simple filling — long before they reach the nerve. The earlier a problem is found, the more often a root canal can be avoided entirely.
Will insurance cover a root canal?
We're out-of-network with all carriers, which lets us focus on your care rather than a plan's rules. Many plans still provide some benefit toward root canal treatment. We'll verify your benefits and walk through your out-of-pocket cost before any work begins, and we offer financing through Sunbit and Cherry.
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Related care
Save the Tooth
Let's stop the pain
If a tooth is aching, the sooner we look, the more often we can save it. We'll give you an honest assessment and a comfortable plan.