General Dentistry

Root Canal Therapy

Overview

Relieve the pain — and give your tooth its best chance

Root canal therapy is how we save a tooth whose nerve has become inflamed or infected — usually from deep decay, a crack, a failing old filling, or an abscess at the root. The infected tissue inside the tooth is carefully removed, the canals are cleaned and disinfected, and the space is sealed to keep bacteria out. The part of the tooth you see and chew with stays right where it belongs.

Here's the part most people get backwards: root canals don't cause the famous pain — they end it. The throbbing toothache comes from the infection itself. Treatment is done under thorough local anesthesia, and for most patients the visit feels much like getting a filling. If a severe toothache has you searching for answers right now, call our 24/7 emergency line at 561-787-7517 — don't wait it out.

At Complete Dental Care in Atlantis, Dr. Jackie Johns, DMD takes a calm, comfort-focused approach: we explain what's happening, numb the area completely before we begin, and check in with you throughout. Afterward, most treated teeth are restored with a custom crown to protect them for the long haul.

Careful exam & diagnosis first
Thorough local anesthesia
Cleaning & sealing of the canals
Protective crown planning
Clear aftercare instructions
Urgent cases via our 24/7 line

When To See Us

Signs a tooth may need a root canal

Only an exam can say for sure — but these symptoms mean the nerve inside a tooth is asking for help, and sooner is always better than later.

Pain that lingers or throbs

Sensitivity to hot or cold that keeps aching after the trigger is gone, pain that wakes you at night, or a deep throb when you bite down all point to an irritated or dying nerve.

Deep decay or a cracked tooth

When a cavity or crack reaches the nerve chamber, bacteria follow. A tooth that has darkened, or one with a large old filling that suddenly hurts, deserves a prompt look.

Swelling or an abscess

Gum swelling, a pimple-like bump near the tooth, a bad taste, or facial swelling can signal infection that shouldn't wait. Call our 24/7 emergency line at 561-787-7517 or book an emergency visit.

Good To Know

Root canal questions, answered

Is a root canal painful?

The procedure itself shouldn't hurt — the area is fully numbed before we begin, and most patients compare the visit to getting a filling. The pain people associate with root canals comes from the infection beforehand, and treatment is what relieves it. Some tenderness for a few days afterward is normal and typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers taken as directed.

What's the alternative to a root canal?

Once the nerve is infected, the realistic alternative is removing the tooth — the infection won't clear on its own. Keeping your natural tooth is usually the better long-term choice when it's possible, so we'll examine the tooth honestly and walk you through both paths, including replacement options if an extraction truly is the right call.

How many visits does a root canal take?

It depends on the tooth and how far the infection has spread — many root canals are completed in one or two appointments. Most treated teeth then need a crown at a follow-up visit to protect the tooth and restore full chewing strength. We'll map out the whole plan before anything begins.

Book an Appointment Call 561-710-2011

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