Root Canals

A root canal either repairs or saves a badly decayed or infected tooth. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.

You’re not alone. No one wants a root canal. Our endodontic patients, however, are usually surprised by how uneventful a root canal at First Choice Dental really is. And as any good endodontist will attest, not getting a root canal when you need one can be harmful to your health, and may cause additional problems that will eventually need to be addressed. In other words, the longer you wait, the more your oral health can deteriorate. 


Without a root canal, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form.

An abscess occurs when the infection spreads all the way past the ends of the roots of the tooth. In addition to an abscess, an infection in the root of a tooth can also cause swelling, bone loss, and drainage problems.

The only alternative to a root canal is having the tooth extracted and replaced with a bridge, implant, or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These alternatives are more expensive than a root canal and require more treatment time.

Get a regular dental checkup every six months if you’re healthy, and more often if your gum health requires it. In between checkups, brush and floss regularly to avoid plaque build-up. In addition, if you or a loved one is involved in athletics, you can reduce sports-related injury by wearing any dentist-approved mouth guard.