Root Canal Therapy — Save Your Natural Tooth
Tooth pain keeping you up at night? Modern root canal therapy relieves the pain and saves your tooth — gently, efficiently, and often in a single visit.
A throbbing toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers long after the stimulus is gone, or a swollen bump on your gums — these are signs that the soft tissue inside your tooth, called the pulp, may be infected or inflamed. Left untreated, a tooth infection can spread to surrounding bone and tissue, cause an abscess, and ultimately lead to tooth loss.
Root canal therapy removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it to prevent reinfection. Despite its reputation, a modern root canal is a comfortable, routine procedure — and it is almost always the best way to save your natural tooth.
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
Modern root canals are no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. The tooth is thoroughly numbed with local anesthesia before any treatment begins, and you should not feel pain during the procedure. For patients with dental anxiety, we also offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation options. Most patients tell us the relief from the toothache is the best part — the pain they arrived with is gone by the time they leave.
What to Expect During Root Canal Treatment
Step 1: Diagnosis and Imaging
Your dentist examines the tooth and takes digital X-rays or a 3D CBCT scan to confirm infection and evaluate the root canal anatomy. This imaging ensures precise treatment planning.
Step 2: Numbing and Comfort
The tooth and surrounding area are completely numbed. Sedation is available if needed. A small rubber dam is placed around the tooth to keep it dry and isolated during the procedure.
Step 3: Accessing the Pulp
A small opening is made in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals inside.
Step 4: Cleaning and Shaping
Using tiny, flexible instruments, the infected or inflamed pulp tissue is carefully removed. The canals are cleaned, shaped, and disinfected with antimicrobial solutions to eliminate bacteria.
Step 5: Filling and Sealing
The cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha and sealed to prevent reinfection. A temporary or permanent filling is placed in the access opening.
Step 6: Crown Placement
In most cases, a dental crown is placed over the treated tooth within 1 to 2 weeks to restore its full strength and function. At our Scottsdale and Gilbert locations, same-day CEREC crowns are available.
How Much Does a Root Canal Cost in Scottsdale?
Root canal therapy in the Phoenix metro area typically ranges from $700 to $1,200, depending on which tooth is treated. Front teeth with a single canal are on the lower end, while molars with three or four canals are on the higher end. This does not include the crown, which is usually recommended afterward.
Most dental insurance plans cover root canals as a major restorative procedure, typically at 50% to 80% after your deductible. We are in-network with Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife, UnitedHealthcare, and many other plans. Our front desk team verifies your benefits and provides a complete cost estimate before treatment.
For patients without insurance, our Summit Savings Plan provides 15% off all treatments, and we offer CareCredit and Lending Club financing with affordable monthly payments.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Contact our office right away if you experience any of the following:
- Severe, persistent toothache — especially pain that worsens when you bite down
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold that does not go away after the stimulus is removed
- Swelling or tenderness in the gums near a specific tooth
- A darkened or discolored tooth
- A persistent pimple-like bump on the gums (fistula)
- Pain that wakes you up at night
These symptoms may indicate an infection inside the tooth that requires root canal therapy. We offer same-day emergency appointments at all three locations.
Your Root Canal Team
Dr. Sarah Chen, DDS, FAGD
Founder & Lead Dentist
Dr. Chen performs root canals on both simple and complex cases, including retreatments and multi-canal molars, drawing on her advanced prosthodontics training.
View full bio →
Dr. James Patel, DMD
Associate Dentist
Dr. Patel has extensive experience with emergency root canals and is known for his gentle, reassuring chair-side manner with anxious patients.
View full bio →"I came in with excruciating tooth pain on a Saturday morning and Dr. Patel fit me in immediately. The root canal was completely painless — honestly easier than I expected. My tooth was saved and the pain was gone that same day."
Michael T. — Tempe patient, Google Review
Root Canal Therapy — Frequently Asked Questions
No. The tooth is thoroughly numbed with local anesthesia, and sedation options are available. Most patients report the procedure is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. The relief from the toothache is typically immediate.
Root canal therapy typically ranges from $700 to $1,200 depending on the tooth. Most dental insurance plans cover a significant portion. We also offer financing through CareCredit and Lending Club, plus our Summit Savings Plan for uninsured patients.
Most root canals are completed in a single visit lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Molars with multiple canals may take slightly longer. A follow-up appointment for a crown is typically scheduled 1 to 2 weeks later.
In most cases, yes. After root canal therapy, the tooth becomes more brittle because the nerve and blood supply have been removed. A dental crown protects the tooth from fracturing and restores full function. Front teeth may not always need a crown, but back teeth almost always do.
The only alternative to root canal therapy is extracting the tooth. While extraction removes the infection, it leaves a gap that should be replaced with an implant, bridge, or partial denture to prevent surrounding teeth from shifting. Saving your natural tooth is almost always the preferred option when possible.
Treatments Related to Root Canal Therapy
Dental Crowns
Protect and restore your tooth after root canal therapy with a custom-fit crown.
Learn more →Emergency Dentistry
Severe tooth pain? Same-day emergency appointments available at all three locations.
Learn more →Tooth Pain Guide
Learn about the causes of tooth pain and when to see a dentist.
Learn more →Stop the Pain — Save Your Tooth
Same-day emergency appointments available. Let our experienced team relieve your pain and preserve your natural smile.