Root Canal Therapy in Las Vegas
Relieve the pain and save your natural tooth.
Root canal therapy saves infected teeth by treating the inner chamber where blood vessels and nerves reside. It removes infection caused by bacteria and seals the tooth to prevent further contamination.
A root canal has a reputation it doesn’t deserve. Today it is a routine procedure done with local anesthetic, and it usually ends the throbbing pain of an infected tooth rather than causing it. At A Great Smile Dental in northwest Las Vegas, our dentists will explain what they see on your x-rays and whether the tooth can be saved before any treatment begins.
Looking for something else? See all our general services.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
The pulp inside a tooth can become inflamed or infected through deep decay, a crack, a large old filling or an injury. Common warning signs include:
- A severe or throbbing toothache, especially when chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the food or drink is gone
- A tooth that has darkened in color
- Swollen or tender gums near one tooth, or a pimple-like bump on the gum
Some infected teeth cause no pain at all and only show up on an x-ray — one more reason for regular checkups. Not sure whether it’s sensitivity or something more? Read Exploring the Causes of Tooth Sensitivity to Hot and Cold.
What Happens During a Root Canal
- Exam and x-rays to see the shape of the roots and how far the infection has spread.
- Numbing the tooth and the area around it with local anesthetic.
- Cleaning: a small opening is made in the top of the tooth, and the infected pulp is removed from the inner chamber and root canals.
- Sealing: the canals are shaped, disinfected, filled and sealed to keep bacteria out.
- Restoring: the opening is closed with a filling, and most back teeth then need a crown to protect them from breaking.
Many root canals are finished in one or two visits. If your tooth has unusually curved or hard-to-reach canals, we’ll explain your options, including referral to a root canal specialist (endodontist).
After Your Root Canal
It’s normal for the tooth to feel tender for a few days; over-the-counter pain relievers usually take care of it. Avoid chewing hard foods on that side until the permanent filling or crown is in place, then brush, floss and come in for checkups as usual. A treated and crowned tooth can last for many years.
Root Canal or Extraction?
Keeping your natural tooth is usually the best option: it keeps your bite and jawbone intact and avoids the cost of replacing the tooth with an implant or bridge. When a tooth is cracked below the gum line or has too little healthy structure left, a tooth extraction may be the better choice — we’ll go over both before you decide.
Tooth Pain? Same-Day Appointments
An infected tooth won’t heal on its own, and the infection can spread. If you have a severe toothache or swelling, call (702) 472-8778 — we offer same-day emergency dental appointments during office hours.
Root Canal Questions
Is a root canal painful?
The tooth is fully numbed first, so for most patients a root canal feels much like getting a filling. The procedure relieves the pain caused by the infection; some tenderness for a few days afterward is normal.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Usually, yes, for molars and premolars. A tooth that has had a root canal is more likely to crack, and a crown protects it. Front teeth can sometimes be restored with a filling alone.
Can antibiotics fix a tooth infection instead?
Antibiotics can help control swelling and a spreading infection, but they can’t reach the infected pulp inside the tooth. The infection returns unless the tooth is treated with a root canal or removed.
Does dental insurance cover root canals?
Many dental plans cover root canal treatment. We work with plans including Aetna, Ameritas, Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, Delta, Guardian, MetLife, United Healthcare and UCCI, and financing is available through CareCredit.
Schedule a Consultation
Come in for a consultation at one of the best family dental practices in Las Vegas.