You might have some preconceived notions about root canal therapy. Many people hear the words “root canal” and automatically think of having a painful dental procedure. The truth is, however, that root canals actually help relieve pain for our patients and are often the only way we can save an infected tooth. Saving your natural teeth is important because once you lose a tooth, the underlying bone may begin to recede because your tooth’s root is no longer there to stimulate regrowth. That is why, at Dr. Rosenbaum and Associates, we do whatever we can to save your natural teeth.

When Is Root Canal Therapy Necessary?


When we recommend a root canal, it is usually because your tooth has an infection inside, near the nerve or at the root tip. When pressure builds up that close to your nerve, you will often feel it along with pain, and sensitivity. In fact, pain is what brings most patients who require a root canal to our office. To diagnose the need for a root canal, we can take a digital dental x-ray. Often times, the infection will show up on your x-ray. Sometimes, we need to perform additional testing to determine the need for a root canal. Common symptoms that may indicate you need a root canal include:

  • Pain
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold
  • Jaw pain or swelling
  • Facial pain
  • A pimple-like lesion on your gums
  • Pressure or throbbing

Once we make a diagnosis, one of our highly skilled dentists will take the next steps necessary to relieve your pain and restore your oral health.

Your Root Canal Procedure

Patient comfort is our number one priority, so we will make sure you feel completely comfortable for your procedure. Then one of our dentists will gently remove all signs of infection from your tooth.


Next, we will sterilize the internal canals of your tooth and place medication to prevent the infection from returning. Finally, we will fill your canals to keep out infection and seal your tooth to prevent food debris and bacteria from entering your tooth.



Once your root canal is complete, you will begin to feel improvement each day as your body’s natural healing defense takes over. It is normal to have some residual sensitivity for several days beyond treatment, but it should quickly subside.

Permanent Restoration for Your Root Canal Tooth

Once your tooth heals completely, we will recommend a permanent restoration to protect your tooth. Often, a dental crown is your best bet since it adds stability to your tooth. Teeth that have had root canals can become brittle and need some added protection.

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