Root canals in Downey.
Modern root canals are quick, comfortable, and save teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted.
A tooth-saving procedure, not a feared one.
A root canal is a procedure that treats infection or damage inside a tooth, in the soft tissue called the pulp where nerves and blood vessels live. When this tissue becomes infected from deep decay, a crack, or trauma, the infection can spread to the bone and lead to tooth loss if untreated. A root canal removes the infected tissue, cleans the inside of the tooth, and seals it, allowing the tooth to be saved rather than extracted.
Modern root canals are nothing like their reputation. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is typically no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. Most patients are surprised by how routine the appointment feels, especially compared to the pain that often precedes the treatment.
After the root canal, the tooth is typically restored with a crown to protect it long-term. The combination of root canal plus crown saves a tooth that would otherwise need extraction and replacement with a dental implant or bridge, often a more invasive and expensive long-term solution.
Most root canal treatments are completed in 1-2 visits depending on the complexity of the tooth. Front teeth typically take less time than back molars due to fewer roots and simpler anatomy. Both Dr. Hadis Reyhani and Dr. Kiro Farag perform root canal treatment in our office, with referrals to an endodontist only for unusually complex cases.
Symptoms that may signal you need a root canal.
Some symptoms are obvious; others are subtle. Any of these warrants a prompt evaluation.
Severe Tooth Pain
Persistent throbbing or sharp pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter medication, especially pain that wakes you up at night, often signals nerve involvement.
Prolonged Sensitivity
Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers for more than 30 seconds after the temperature stimulus is removed, suggesting the nerve has become inflamed or damaged.
Pain When Biting
Pain or discomfort when biting down or chewing on a specific tooth often indicates infection at the root tip or inflammation around the tooth.
Tooth Discoloration
A tooth that has darkened, turning gray, brown, or black, often indicates the nerve inside has died, which can lead to infection if not treated.
Swollen, Tender Gums
Persistent swelling or tenderness in the gum near a specific tooth, sometimes with a small pimple-like bump, suggests an abscess.
Cracked or Damaged Tooth
A visible crack or significant damage that has reached the tooth's interior, even without obvious symptoms, often requires root canal treatment to prevent infection.
Your root canal appointment, demystified.
The procedure is far more routine than its reputation suggests. Here is what actually happens.
Numbing. Local anesthesia is applied to numb the tooth and surrounding tissue completely. You feel nothing during the procedure.
Access. A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to reach the inner pulp chamber. This is similar to placing a filling.
Cleaning. The infected or damaged tissue is removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned, shaped, and disinfected. This is the longest part of the appointment.
Sealing. The cleaned canal is filled with a biocompatible material that seals it, preventing future infection. A temporary filling closes the access opening.
Crown placement. At a follow-up visit, the temporary filling is replaced with a permanent crown that protects the tooth long-term and restores normal function.
Most root canals take 60-90 minutes per appointment. Front teeth often need just one visit; molars with more roots may need two. Sedation is available for anxious patients.
Schedule a ConsultationRoot canal vs. extraction.
When a tooth has deep infection, you have two main options. Here is how they compare.
| Factor | Root Canal Therapy | Tooth Extraction + Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Tooth saved, original tooth retained | Tooth removed, replacement needed |
| Procedure | 1-2 visits, 60-90 minutes each | 1 visit for extraction, additional procedures for replacement |
| Comfort | Similar to a filling, fully numbed | Similar to extracting any tooth |
| Cost (short-term) | Generally less than extraction plus replacement | Lower upfront cost for extraction alone |
| Cost (long-term) | One procedure, no further work needed | Implant or bridge required, often a larger total investment |
| Function | Tooth functions normally with crown | Implant or bridge restores function |
| Aesthetics | Indistinguishable from natural tooth | Modern implants look natural; bridges visible at gum line |
| Adjacent teeth | No effect on neighbors | May require grinding adjacent teeth (bridges) |
| Long-term outcome | Tooth often lasts decades | Implants typically last decades; bridges 10-15 years |
Questions about root canals?
Root canals have a reputation that does not match modern reality. Here is the truth about the most-asked questions.
Ask a QuestionNo. The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia and is no more painful than getting a routine filling. Most patients feel pressure and vibration but no pain. The pain people associate with root canals is typically the pain that precedes treatment, the toothache caused by the infection that needed root canal therapy in the first place. The procedure relieves that pain rather than causing it.
Most root canals take 60-90 minutes per appointment. Front teeth with single roots often need just one visit. Back molars with multiple roots may need two visits. The complexity of the tooth and the extent of infection both affect timing.
A properly performed root canal followed by a crown typically lasts decades, often the rest of your life. Studies show success rates above 95 percent at 10 years and beyond. The key factors are timely placement of a crown after the root canal, good home care, and routine dental visits to monitor the tooth.
A tooth that has had a root canal is more brittle than a healthy tooth because the inner pulp tissue is gone and the tooth is no longer hydrated from within. Without a crown, the tooth is at significantly higher risk of cracking. The crown protects the remaining tooth structure, restores normal chewing function, and seals the access hole created during the root canal procedure. Crowns are the standard of care after root canal therapy on back teeth.
Extraction is an option, but rarely a better one. Saving the natural tooth almost always provides better long-term outcomes than extraction plus replacement. Implants and bridges restore function but cannot perfectly replicate a natural tooth root, and replacement procedures typically cost more than root canal therapy in total. We always discuss both options honestly so you can make the right choice for your situation.
Most dental insurance plans cover root canal therapy, typically at 50-80 percent of the cost depending on your plan. Coverage for the crown that follows is also typically included. We verify your specific benefits before treatment begins so you have a clear understanding of what your insurance covers and your out-of-pocket cost.
Cost varies based on which tooth needs treatment (front teeth are typically less than molars, due to fewer roots) and whether a specialist endodontist needs to be involved. Most cases are completed in our office. We provide a clear cost breakdown before treatment begins and offer flexible financing through CareCredit for patients with significant out-of-pocket costs.
Most root canals can be completed in our office by Dr. Hadis Reyhani or Dr. Kiro Farag. Some cases involving unusually complex anatomy, retreatment of a previous root canal, or specific complications may benefit from referral to an endodontist (a root canal specialist). We make that recommendation honestly when it is in your best interest.
Root canal care, comfortable and competent.
We do root canals routinely. The combination of experience, modern equipment, and patient-comfort focus means most appointments feel anticlimactic.
Modern endodontic technique
We use rotary endodontic instruments, digital imaging, and current materials that make root canal therapy faster, more comfortable, and more successful than the procedures of decades past.
Patient comfort first
Sedation options for anxious patients. Slow, gentle anesthesia delivery. Open communication throughout the procedure. Most patients are surprised how routine the visit feels.
Bilingual care during a stressful procedure
Root canals can feel intimidating. We explain every step in your preferred language, English or Spanish, so you understand what is happening and what comes next.
Coordinated care after the root canal
The crown that follows is part of the same treatment plan, designed and placed by our team. No referral to another office, no separate appointments somewhere else.
You may also be interested in.
Dental Crowns
The protective crown that follows a root canal, designed and placed in our office.
Learn moreTooth-Colored Fillings
Metal-free composite fillings for cavities that have not progressed to the nerve.
Learn moreTooth Extractions
When a tooth cannot be saved, gentle extraction with replacement options to follow.
Learn more
Your next dental home is ready when you are.
New patients welcome. Same-week appointments available for most visits.