Persistent throbbing or sensitivity to hot and cold that lingers often means the nerve inside the tooth is infected or inflamed. Smile Center Dentistry uses digital X-rays and, when needed, an apex locator to treat the canal precisely.
A root canal performed with the right tools and enough time has a high success rate — rushed cases are where problems happen. Saving the natural tooth is almost always better than the alternative, so we treat this procedure with real care.
We confirm nerve involvement with digital X-rays before recommending a root canal over a filling. You'll see your own X-ray and understand the reasoning before we proceed.
We check numbness thoroughly before starting, not just assume the injection worked. If you're still feeling anything, we pause and address it before continuing.
Infected or badly decayed teeth don't wait well, so we prioritize root canal cases for same-week scheduling. We know how miserable this pain can be, which is why we don't make you wait unnecessarily.
Post-treatment protection is part of the plan from day one, so the tooth stays saved long-term. We schedule the crown appointment before you even leave your root canal visit.
Here's what's typically involved once imaging confirms treatment is needed.
We rule out a simple filling before recommending the more involved root canal procedure. This step alone often explains pain patients couldn't previously identify.
Infected pulp tissue is removed and the canal is cleaned and shaped to prepare it for filling. This is the core of the procedure and where precision matters most.
A properly sealed canal is what keeps bacteria from returning to the treated tooth. We confirm the seal with a follow-up X-ray before moving to restoration.
Not every root canal needs this step — we explain when your specific tooth requires it. This step is planned before crown placement, not decided last minute.
We schedule crown placement as part of your treatment plan from the start, not as a separate afterthought. Material options are discussed based on which tooth and how much force it takes when chewing.
If a previously treated tooth becomes reinfected, we assess whether retreatment or extraction is the better path. We explain honestly whether your specific tooth is still a good save candidate.
We triage by phone to determine how quickly you need to be seen.
You'll see your own X-ray and understand exactly what's happening before we recommend anything.
We check comfort throughout the procedure rather than assuming the anesthesia is holding.
A crown or filling restores the tooth's strength, with a follow-up to confirm healing.
"They showed me the X-ray and explained exactly why a filling wouldn't be enough. Made the decision easy."
"Crown discussion happened at the first visit, not as a surprise bill after the root canal was already done."
"They checked my numbness twice before starting. Appreciated that they didn't rush it."
"Follow-up X-ray confirmed everything sealed properly. Nice to have that confirmation instead of just hoping."
"Needed retreatment on an old root canal from another dentist years ago. They explained clearly why it had failed and what was different this time."
We confirm with digital X-rays and sensitivity testing before recommending a root canal over a simpler fix. We won't recommend the more involved procedure unless testing actually confirms it's needed.
We check numbness thoroughly before starting, so pain during the procedure is rare. Post-procedure soreness is normal for a few days and manageable with standard pain relief.
Most cases are completed in one to two visits, depending on the tooth and infection severity. We schedule the crown visit separately once the canal treatment itself is complete.
Front teeth sometimes don't need a crown; back teeth that handle more chewing force usually do. We plan crown placement into your treatment timeline from day one.
The infection can spread, cause worsening pain and swelling, and eventually require extraction instead of a save. An untreated infection can also spread beyond the tooth itself in more serious cases.
Cost depends on which tooth and whether a crown is needed — we give a specific quote after diagnosis, not a vague range. Molars with multiple canals typically cost more than single-canal front teeth.
Our team serves Oak Grove and the surrounding zip codes with digital imaging on-site at every location. Whether it's your first root canal or a retreatment case, our Oak Grove team handles both in-house.
We'll confirm what's actually happening before recommending treatment.
Call +1-866-227-2801