Root canal therapy has an undeserved reputation for being painful, but the truth is that the procedure actually eliminates pain caused by infected or inflamed tooth pulp. At Emergency Dental Services of Washington in Lakewood, we use modern techniques and effective anesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the procedure. A root canal becomes necessary when bacteria reach the tooth’s inner pulp chamber through deep decay, cracks, chips, or repeated dental procedures on the same tooth. Signs you may need a root canal include severe toothache that won’t go away, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after removal, darkening or discoloration of the tooth, swelling and tenderness in nearby gums, and a persistent pimple-like bump on your gums (fistula).

During root canal treatment, we’ll first numb the area completely so you feel no pain. We’ll place a rubber dam to keep the tooth dry and isolated, then make a small opening in the tooth’s crown to access the infected pulp. Using specialized instruments, we’ll carefully remove all diseased pulp tissue, clean and disinfect the root canals, and shape them for filling. The canals are then filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha and sealed with adhesive cement. Finally, we’ll place a temporary filling to protect the tooth until a permanent crown can be placed (usually at a follow-up appointment). Most root canals take 60-90 minutes and can be completed in one visit, though severely infected teeth may require two appointments.