Frequently Asked Questions

Your general dentist referred you to our office because the diagnosis or treatment of your condition requires the expertise of a specialist. Endodontists limit their practice to endodontic care and are trained to handle the most complex cases. This partnership between your general dentist and our office means you receive the highest level of care, while your general dentist remains your primary dental provider. Once your endodontic treatment is complete, we will send a full report to your dentist so that your care remains seamlessly coordinated.

An endodontist is a dental specialist who focuses exclusively on diagnosing tooth pain and performing procedures relating to the interior of the tooth — primarily root canal treatment. After completing dental school, endodontists go on to complete an additional two to three years of advanced specialty training in an accredited endodontic residency program. Endodontics is one of the twelve specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. Because endodontists focus solely on endodontic treatment, they perform these procedures far more frequently than general dentists, and they have access to specialized technologies that make treatment more precise and comfortable.

Endodontics is the dental specialty concerned with the biology and pathology of the dental pulp — the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Your tooth is made up of three layers: the hard outer enamel, the dentin beneath it, and the innermost pulp. When the pulp becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, a crack, or injury, endodontic treatment is necessary to save the tooth. The most common procedure is root canal treatment, during which the diseased pulp is removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and shaped, and the space is filled and sealed. Endodontic treatment relieves pain, eliminates infection, and allows you to keep your natural tooth.

Modern root canal treatment, performed under local anesthesia, is not a painful procedure — it is a pain-relieving one. Most patients are surprised by how comfortable the experience is. The tooth and surrounding tissue are fully numb before any instrumentation begins. Post-treatment soreness for one to two days is normal; it is managed with over-the-counter analgesics in most cases.

Many cases are completed in a single visit. Complex anatomy, teeth with active infection, or cases requiring additional diagnostic imaging may require two visits. We will give you a realistic estimate at the consultation.

After dental school, endodontists complete an additional two to three years of specialty training focused exclusively on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the dental pulp and periapical tissues. We perform root canals every day; for most general dentists, endodontic cases are a portion of a broad practice. When a case is complex, or when a prior treatment has failed, the specialist’s depth of training and equipment — particularly the operating microscope and cone-beam CT — changes outcomes.

A Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics — often referred to as a “Board Certified Endodontist” — has achieved the highest level of professional recognition in the specialty. Earning this credential is entirely voluntary, and fewer than 20% of practicing endodontists ever achieve it. The process requires passing rigorous written examinations, submitting a detailed portfolio of clinical cases, and completing comprehensive oral examinations before a panel of examiners. All of our doctors are Board Certified.

Yes. Magnification at 20–30× with a surgical operating microscope is standard for every procedure in our office, and cone-beam CT gives us a three-dimensional view of root anatomy that conventional X-rays cannot provide. Most dental practices never use a surgical microscope. Seeing more means finding extra canals, hidden cracks, and the true cause of a failed treatment — which directly changes outcomes.

This is the first question we ask with every patient. Long-term success rates for endodontic treatment performed under modern conditions are above 90% in most published series — comparable to implant success over the same time horizon. A natural tooth, with its periodontal ligament intact, responds to bite forces in a way no implant can replicate. Our strong bias is toward saving teeth when saving them is clinically reasonable. When it is not, we say so clearly and help coordinate next steps.

Not necessarily. Failed root canals can often be retreated successfully. The key is understanding why the original treatment failed — missed canals, inadequate sealing, cracking, or new infection from a different source. We use cone-beam CT and operating microscopy to identify the cause before recommending retreatment or surgical intervention. In many cases retreatment is both feasible and durable.

Common symptoms include spontaneous or lingering pain in a tooth, sensitivity to heat that persists after the source is removed, swelling near a tooth, discoloration, or a persistent pimple on the gum. However, some teeth requiring treatment have no symptoms at all and are identified on routine X-rays. If you have been told you might need a root canal, a consultation here will give you a definitive diagnosis.

Intense, ongoing pain inside a tooth is often a sign that the pulp is inflamed or infected. This type of pain typically doesn’t go away on its own and requires professional evaluation and treatment to resolve the underlying problem.

If a tooth remains sensitive to temperature long after the hot or cold stimulus is removed, it may indicate that the pulp is compromised. This prolonged sensitivity often requires root canal treatment to eliminate the problem.

Facial or gum swelling near a tooth can indicate a serious infection that needs immediate attention. This swelling often appears as a pimple-like bump on the gums and signals that your tooth needs professional endodontic care. If you have significant swelling, call us the same day.

Sharp pain when you bite down or chew on a particular tooth may indicate infection, damage, or a crack. This symptom often worsens over time and requires professional evaluation to determine the best treatment approach.

Yes. Root canal treatment has been performed safely for over a century and is one of the most thoroughly studied procedures in dentistry. The materials used — gutta-percha, bioceramic sealers — are biocompatible and rigorously tested. The risks of not treating an infected tooth (spread of infection, sepsis, bone loss, tooth loss) far exceed any theoretical risk from the procedure itself.

No. The claim that root canals cause cancer originates from early 20th-century research by Weston Price that was not reproducible under controlled conditions. A 2013 study published in JAMA Otolaryngology found that patients with a history of multiple root canal treatments actually had a reduced risk of certain cancers. The scientific consensus is clear: root canal treatment does not cause cancer.

No peer-reviewed evidence supports a causal link between root canal treatment and systemic disease. The focal infection theory that proposed this was rejected by the scientific and medical communities in the mid-20th century after controlled studies failed to replicate early findings. The ADA, AAE, and major medical organizations are in agreement on this point.

No — this is a myth. Root canal treatment is performed under local anesthesia, and clinical surveys consistently show that patients rate root canal discomfort as similar to a routine filling — and far less than the toothache that prompted treatment.

The pulp tissue is removed, but the tooth itself retains its periodontal ligament, root structure, and functional attachment to the jawbone. It is sensory-inactive — it cannot feel hot or cold — but it is not dead in a clinically relevant sense. A properly restored root-canal-treated tooth can remain in function for decades.

Most dental insurance plans include coverage for root canal therapy, though the specifics — percentage covered, annual maximums, waiting periods — vary considerably. Our front desk team will verify your benefits before your appointment and provide a fee estimate. We are happy to submit claims on your behalf.

We accept all PPO dental insurance plans. Bring your insurance information when you schedule and our team will verify your benefits before your visit, so you know what to expect before treatment begins.

We offer CareCredit and Cherry financing, which let you spread the cost of treatment over monthly payments. Our front desk can walk you through the application — approval usually takes only a few minutes.

The fee depends on which tooth is involved and the complexity of the case — front teeth have fewer canals than molars, and retreatments differ from first-time treatments. You will receive a clear written estimate after your consultation, before any treatment begins, along with your verified insurance benefits.

Most root canal appointments take between 60 and 90 minutes. Many cases are completed in a single visit; complex cases may require two. We will give you a realistic time estimate at your consultation so you can plan your day.