Root Canal Therapy
Root canals get a bad reputation they no longer deserve. Modern technique makes the procedure quick, comfortable, and the best way to save a tooth.
Save the tooth. Stop the pain.
When the nerve inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed — from a deep cavity, a crack, or trauma — the pain can be severe. Root canal therapy removes the infected nerve, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it to prevent re-infection. The tooth stays in place, fully functional, just without a living nerve.
It's the only alternative to extracting the tooth. And done properly, modern root canal therapy is no more uncomfortable than a routine filling — most patients are surprised at how easy it is. The pain people associate with root canals is the toothache before the procedure, not the procedure itself.
Most root canals are completed in one or two visits. After healing, we recommend a crown to protect the now-brittle tooth from cracking.
What's involved
Numb & isolate
Local anesthetic makes you completely numb. We then isolate the tooth with a rubber dam to keep it dry and clean.
Access & clean
A tiny opening lets us reach the infected nerve. Using fine instruments and irrigation, we remove the nerve tissue and disinfect the canals.
Fill & seal
The cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material that prevents bacteria from re-entering. A temporary filling closes the access point.
Crown afterward
After 2–6 weeks of healing, we typically place a porcelain crown to protect the tooth long-term — root-canal teeth become brittle without one.
The Lac La Biche Smiles difference.
Modern technique — comfortable, often quicker than expected
Same-day emergency visits for severe pain
Sedation options for anxious patients
Most root canals + crowns covered substantially by insurance
Your questions, answered.
Does a root canal hurt?
The procedure itself does not. You'll be completely numb. The throbbing pain people associate with root canals is the infected tooth before treatment — the treatment is what stops it.
How long does it take?
Most root canals are completed in 60–90 minutes per visit. Many teeth are done in a single visit; complex molars sometimes require two.
Will I need a crown afterward?
Almost always, yes. The tooth is structurally weaker after a root canal and a crown prevents cracking. Without one, root-canal teeth have a much higher failure rate.
Wouldn't it be easier to just pull the tooth?
Extraction is faster in the moment but creates a much bigger problem: missing teeth lead to bite collapse, shifting, and bone loss. Replacing a tooth with an implant or bridge costs significantly more than saving it. Save the tooth whenever possible.
Severe tooth pain right now?
Call us — we hold same-day emergency slots open for patients with active infections.