Root canal treatment
The soft tissue inside a tooth is called the pulp. When it becomes inflamed or infected, root canal treatment may help save a tooth that can still be restored.
Find the cause
Understand treatment
Protect the restoration
Understanding your options
Why an examination matters
A persistent toothache is a reason to seek care, not proof that you need a root canal. Your dentist considers symptoms, the tooth’s condition and supporting tissues before recommending treatment. Ask which findings suggest an inflamed or infected pulp and whether the tooth can be predictably restored. A badly fractured tooth or inadequate support may change the options.
What treatment can involve
Local anesthetic is commonly used, and a protective dental dam isolates the tooth. The dentist or endodontist opens the tooth, cleans and shapes the internal spaces, then fills and seals them. A temporary restoration may be used between stages. The final restoration is a separate part of completing the plan. The number of visits and who performs them depend on your case.
Recovery and follow-up
Follow the treating clinician’s instructions for eating, cleaning and medicines. Protect the tooth from heavy chewing until the recommended restoration is in place. Contact the treating office for severe or increasing pain, swelling, an uneven bite or a lost temporary restoration. Difficulty breathing or swallowing is an emergency: call 911.
Questions patients ask
Will I be asleep? Local numbing and sedation are different. Ask what is appropriate and actually available; this page does not promise sedation.
Why might I see an endodontist? Some teeth need specialist assessment or treatment. Ask who will perform the root canal and who will complete the restoration.
Is extraction an alternative? Sometimes. Compare whether the tooth is restorable, the consequences of removal and any replacement treatment, rather than comparing only the first procedure’s price.
Will antibiotics replace treatment? Do not assume medication treats the underlying source. A clinician must assess what care is needed.
What should the estimate include? Ask about examination, imaging, root-canal treatment, any build-up, the final restoration and follow-up. Insurance benefits and personal costs require individual verification.
What if I am nervous? Describe previous difficult experiences before the visit. Ask about breaks, a stop signal and explanations during treatment. You should not have to guess what is happening.
Sources & review status
Prepared November 12, 2026. Clinical review by the practice is pending.
Temporary website review preview. Educational content awaits practice review and is not an individual diagnosis or treatment plan. Confirm current services with Fedon Family Dental.
Treating the inside, then protecting the outside
Treatment removes affected tissue, cleans the internal spaces and seals them. The tooth also needs an appropriate final restoration, which may include a crown. The examination determines whether saving the tooth is feasible or whether another option should be considered.