Root Canal Treatment

People fear root canals because they assume they are painful. Actually, most people report that the procedure itself is no more painful than having a filling placed.

Root canal therapy should relieve the pain you feel. Until your root canal procedure is completely finished -- that is, the permanent filling is in place and a Crown, if needed, is in place -- it's wise to minimize chewing on the tooth under repair.

Alternatives to Root Canal Therapy

Saving your natural teeth is the very best option, if possible. Your natural teeth make it possible for you to eat a wide variety of foods necessary to maintain proper nutrition. Root canal therapy is the treatment of choice.

The only alternative to a root canal procedure is having the tooth extracted. The tooth would then be replaced with a bridge, implant, or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting.