Loading…
Root Canal Therapy · San Diego, CA
When a tooth's nerve is infected or inflamed, root canal therapy removes the source of pain and preserves the natural tooth. Modern technique means the procedure is typically no more uncomfortable than a routine filling — and far less disruptive than losing the tooth.
These symptoms suggest the pulp (nerve) inside a tooth may be infected or inflamed. None are guaranteed indicators on their own — diagnosis requires an exam and X-rays — but if you are experiencing any of these, don't wait.
Some teeth need root canal treatment without obvious symptoms. Infection is sometimes detected only on an X-ray during a routine exam. This is why regular checkups catch problems before they become emergencies.
A natural tooth is almost always worth preserving when it can be. Once a tooth is extracted, the jawbone beneath it begins to shrink — roughly 25% of width in the first year — and neighbouring teeth begin to drift into the gap. Replacing an extracted tooth with an implant, bridge, or partial denture involves additional cost, additional appointments, and in the case of an implant, a surgical procedure.
Root canal therapy stops the infection and preserves the tooth so it can continue to do its job for years to come. After treatment and a protective crown, a root canal-treated tooth functions like any other — you can chew normally on it, brush and floss it, and it holds its position in the arch so adjacent teeth stay stable.
Extraction is sometimes the right choice — for instance, when a tooth is fractured below the gumline or when there is not enough structure remaining to restore. We will explain the tradeoff for your specific tooth and let you decide. But in the majority of cases where the tooth is salvageable, root canal therapy is the better long-term option.
We examine the tooth, test the pulp response with a gentle cold or electric stimulus, and take X-rays to evaluate the roots and surrounding bone. This confirms whether root canal therapy is needed and shows us the root anatomy we are working with.
Local anesthetic is applied around and below the tooth. We wait until you are completely numb before starting. You may feel pressure during the procedure but should not feel sharp pain. Dental anxiety is common — let us know and we can walk you through each step.
A thin rubber sheet (dental dam) isolates the tooth to keep the area clean and dry. A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to reach the pulp chamber inside.
Using fine instruments and disinfecting solutions, we carefully remove the infected or inflamed tissue from inside the tooth and clean the canal system. This is the step that eliminates the source of infection and ends the pain.
The cleaned canals are filled and sealed with a biocompatible material — typically gutta-percha — and the access opening is closed. A temporary filling is placed if a second visit is needed.
After root canal treatment, the tooth is structurally weaker. For most back teeth, a full-coverage crown is placed at a follow-up appointment to protect the tooth from fracture and restore its full chewing function. Front teeth are sometimes restored more conservatively.
Not sure if you need a root canal?
A quick phone call or free consult can help us figure out what is going on and what to do about it.
Most dental insurance plans cover a portion of root canal treatment, typically as a major restorative benefit. The amount covered varies by plan and by which tooth is being treated — molars tend to have a higher fee than front teeth because of their additional canals and complexity. The follow-up crown is usually covered under the restorative benefit as well, subject to your plan's annual maximum and waiting periods.
We verify your insurance benefits before treatment begins and walk you through your estimated out-of-pocket cost. If cost is a concern, we can discuss phased treatment, in-house payment arrangements, and financing options. Delaying a root canal while an infection is present is not cost-neutral — it can allow the infection to spread into the surrounding bone, leading to more complex and more expensive treatment.
Questions about your plan? Visit our insurance page or use our coverage estimator.
Common Questions
What patients ask most before their first appointment — answered honestly.
Thông tin bằng tiếng Việt
Điều trị tủy răng (nội nha) là thủ thuật bảo tồn răng khi phần tủy bên trong bị nhiễm trùng hoặc viêm. Mặc dù nhiều người lo ngại rằng điều trị này sẽ rất đau, nhưng với kỹ thuật tê liệt hiện đại, hầu hết bệnh nhân chỉ cảm thấy áp lực nhẹ trong quá trình điều trị — không đau như họ lo sợ.
Các dấu hiệu có thể cần điều trị tủy: đau răng dai dẳng, nhạy cảm với nóng hoặc lạnh kéo dài, đau khi cắn, hoặc sưng nướu gần một chiếc răng. Nếu bạn gặp bất kỳ triệu chứng nào trong số này, hãy gọi cho chúng tôi sớm — nhiễm trùng không tự khỏi và điều trị sớm giúp bảo tồn răng tốt hơn.
Đội ngũ tại KinDentists nói tiếng Việt và sẵn sàng giải thích từng bước điều trị bằng tiếng Việt. Chúng tôi chấp nhận hầu hết các bảo hiểm nha khoa lớn và cũng phục vụ bệnh nhân Denti-Cal. Đừng để cơn đau kéo dài — hãy liên hệ với chúng tôi để đặt lịch khám.
Related services
Crowns & Restorations →
After root canal therapy, most back teeth need a full-coverage crown to protect them from fracture and restore full chewing function.
Emergency Dental Care →
Severe tooth pain, swelling, or a dental abscess — we treat urgent dental infections as a priority.
Dental Implants →
If a tooth cannot be saved, a dental implant replaces the root and crown — preserving bone and restoring full function.
Tooth Extractions →
When a tooth is too damaged to save, we explain the options clearly and make extraction as comfortable as possible.
All services →
See everything we offer at our City Heights office.
New patient registration →
Get started as a new patient — forms take about five minutes online.
Insurance & coverage →
Check which plans we accept and how to verify your benefits.
Dental infections don't resolve on their own. The sooner we see you, the better the chance of saving the tooth — and the sooner you can stop the pain.