Root canals in Edmonds that save your tooth
A root canal clears the infection inside your tooth and relieves the pain, so you can keep the tooth instead of losing it.
A root canal removes the infection causing your pain. The procedure ends it — it doesn’t cause it.
Keeping the tooth you have is usually the more conservative option, instead of removing it.
We verify your insurance benefits and tell you what it costs before treatment starts.
How do I know if I need a root canal?
A few signs tend to show up when the nerve inside a tooth is infected or inflamed:
- Lingering pain that doesn’t settle down
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers well after the trigger is gone
- Pain when chewing or biting down
- A pimple-like bump on the gum, or swelling
- A tooth that has darkened compared to those around it
Only an exam and an X-ray can confirm what’s happening inside the tooth. If you’re in pain right now, see what to do about a toothache while you wait for your appointment.
Does a root canal hurt?
It’s a fair question, and probably the biggest thing standing between you and booking. Here’s the honest answer: a root canal relieves pain, it doesn’t cause it. The tooth is thoroughly numbed before we begin, and most patients say it feels similar to getting a filling.
The procedure is designed to end the pain you came in with, not add to it.
Mild soreness for a day or two afterward is normal and manageable — most patients find it easier than they expected.
What happens during a root canal?
A root canal is one of several restorative care treatments we use to save a tooth that’s infected or badly damaged, rather than remove it.
We numb the tooth completely.
We remove the infected or inflamed pulp inside the tooth.
We clean and shape the inside of the tooth.
We seal the tooth, and in most cases place a dental crown afterward to protect it.
It usually takes one to two visits, depending on the tooth and how much infection there is to clear.
What happens if I don’t get a root canal?
The infection inside the tooth doesn’t resolve on its own. Left alone, it can spread beyond the tooth and turn into an abscess, a more serious and more painful problem.
In most cases, an untreated infected tooth eventually has to be removed, and a missing tooth needs to replace the tooth to protect your bite and the teeth around it. Treating it now, while the tooth can still be saved, usually keeps things simpler.
Root canal vs. extraction
If a tooth can be saved, these are usually the two options on the table.
Usually the more conservative choice, and often more economical long-term once you factor in what it takes to replace a missing tooth.
An tooth extraction leaves a gap that typically needs a bridge, implant, or denture afterward to restore chewing and keep other teeth from shifting.
Both are legitimate options. We’ll walk you through what applies to your specific tooth before you decide.
Cost & insurance
Root canal cost depends on which tooth is involved — front teeth are simpler to treat and typically cost less than molars, which have more canals to clean out. A crown to protect the tooth afterward is usually a separate cost.
Most PPO plans cover a portion of root canal treatment. We verify your benefits and give you your cost in writing before we start, so there are no surprises partway through. For larger cases, we also offer insurance and financing options.
If you’re in active pain, we can often see urgent, infected-tooth cases the same day, so it isn’t left to spread over a weekend.
Common questions
Ready to find out if your tooth can be saved?
A painful tooth won’t fix itself. Book a consultation and we’ll tell you whether a root canal can save it, with your cost in writing.