A procedure with
a worse reputation
than it deserves.
A modern root canal is closer to a deep filling than to the horror story you've heard about. Done well — with magnification, isolation, and patience — it ends the pain you came in with and saves a tooth that would otherwise need to come out.
The details that matter for the next 20 years.
The difference between a root canal that lasts a decade and one that lasts a lifetime is mostly invisible at the time. Here's where we don't cut corners.
- Rubber dam, every time
Isolating the tooth from saliva during treatment is the #1 predictor of success — and many practices skip it for speed. We never do.
- Surgical microscope / loupes
Magnification lets us see hidden canals (some molars have four or five) that get missed with the naked eye and cause future failure.
- Modern irrigation protocols
EDTA, sodium hypochlorite, and chlorhexidine in a careful sequence — the canals are clinically sterile before we seal them.
- Bioceramic sealers
We use modern bioceramic root canal sealers rather than older zinc-oxide eugenol formulations. Better seal, better tissue compatibility.
- Sedation if you want it
Nitrous oxide or oral sedation available. We use it routinely. There is zero shame, judgment, or upcharge for being anxious.
The procedure, start to finish.
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Diagnosis & honest conversation
15 minA focused x-ray, a vitality test, and a careful look. We confirm the tooth genuinely needs treatment — not every painful tooth does — and we walk you through the alternatives, including extraction.
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Profound, comfortable numbness
15 minA buffered anesthetic and, for some patients, supplemental intraosseous injection. We don't start until you tap the tooth firmly and feel nothing. Sedation available on request.
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Isolation with a rubber dam
5 minA small dental dam keeps the tooth completely isolated and sterile during the procedure. It's also the single biggest predictor of long-term success — and most general dentists skip it. We never do.
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Clean the canals
45–60 minUsing fine rotary files under magnification, we remove the infected nerve tissue and shape the inside of the canal. Irrigation with disinfecting solutions every few minutes. We work calmly — never against the clock.
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Seal & schedule the crown
20 minThe canal is filled with biocompatible gutta-percha and sealed. A temporary filling closes the access hole. Most root-canal-treated teeth need a crown within 2–3 weeks — we book it before you leave.
Root canal pricing.
Pricing depends on which tooth — molars have more canals and take longer. We confirm the exact tooth and give you a written estimate before any work begins.
- Anterior (front) tooth root canal$895
- Premolar (bicuspid) root canal$1,095
- Molar root canal Three or four canals; takes longer$1,295
- Retreatment of previous root canal When a prior root canal has failed+$300
- Crown after root canal (recommended) See Crowns page for details$1,295
- Sedation (nitrous oxide) Oral conscious sedation also available$85 / session
Most insurance plans cover root canal therapy at 50–80%. We handle the paperwork.
The answers most patients ask first.
Does a root canal actually hurt?
The pain you walk in with is from the inflamed nerve. Once we're numb, you feel pressure and vibration but no pain. Most patients are surprised — they tell us it's less uncomfortable than a deep filling. The pain you came in with starts resolving within 24 hours.
Why not just pull the tooth?
Sometimes extraction is the right call — we'll tell you when. But your natural tooth, even one that's had root canal therapy, almost always functions better than an implant or bridge for chewing, alignment, and bone preservation. Saving the tooth you have is usually the higher-value option.
Is a root canal safe? I've heard scary things.
Modern root canal therapy is one of the most studied procedures in dentistry. The "focal infection" theory you've seen online comes from a discredited 1920s study. Properly done — with rubber dam isolation, modern disinfection, and a crown afterward — root canals have a 95%+ long-term success rate.
How long does it last?
A root-canal-treated tooth that's been properly crowned typically lasts 15+ years, often a lifetime. The most common failure mode is fracture (skip the crown and you'll likely fracture the tooth within a year or two) or new decay around the margins.
Do you refer out to an endodontist?
For most front and premolar teeth, and many molars, we treat in-house. For molars with unusual anatomy, calcified canals, or retreatment cases, we refer to a trusted local endodontist — we know the limits of our skill and we don't pretend otherwise.
Tell us when works, we'll do the rest.
Most new patient visits include exam, panoramic x-rays and a thorough cleaning — about 60–75 minutes total. We confirm by text within an hour.
- $89 new patient special · exam, x-rays, cleaning
- In-network with most major plans
- Same-week emergency appointments available