Root canal treatment in Woodland Hills

A root canal shouldn't hurt more than a filling, because the tooth is fully numbed first. Most people find it relieves the pain they came in with. Some tenderness for a few days afterward is normal.

Signs you may need a root canal include severe or lingering tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold that lasts, pain when chewing, and swollen gums near a tooth. Only an exam and X-rays can confirm it, so call us.

A root canal usually takes one or two visits of an hour or more each, depending on the tooth and how many roots it has. Back teeth have more roots and take longer.

After a root canal, the tooth may feel tender for a few days, and most people are back to normal the next day. Most back teeth then need a dental crown, since a treated tooth can become brittle.

Saving your natural tooth with a root canal is usually the better choice. A pulled tooth leaves a gap that should be filled with an implant, bridge or denture to stop nearby teeth shifting, which takes more time and costs more.

If a tooth is badly infected or very painful, call us as a dental emergency. We'll see you as soon as we can and start root canal treatment to stop the pain, often at the first visit.

If an infected tooth doesn't get a root canal, the infection won't heal on its own. It can spread into the bone around the tooth and cause an abscess, swelling and more pain, and the tooth may eventually need to be pulled, as the ADA explains. Pain that fades doesn't always mean the problem is gone, so it's worth an exam.

The cost of a root canal depends on which tooth needs it, since back teeth have more roots, and on whether it needs a crown afterward. Insurance often covers part. You'll get a clear price before treatment.