Root Canal
Need a Root Canal or Treatment?
At Southridge Dental, we've got your back.
Root canal treatment is necessary when the pulp (soft tissue inside your teeth containing blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue) becomes inflamed or diseased. During root canal treatment, your dentist or endodontist (a dentist who specializes in treating the insides of teeth) removes the diseased pulp. The pulp chamber and root canal(s) of the tooth are then cleaned and sealed. If the infected pulp is not removed, pain and swelling can result, and your tooth may have to be removed.
Causes of an infected pulp could include:
- a deep cavity
- repeated dental procedures
- a cracked or broken tooth
- injury to the tooth (even if there’s not a visible crack or chip)
- If you continue to care for your teeth and gums your restored tooth could last a lifetime. However, regular checkups are necessary; a tooth without its nerve can still develop cavities or gum disease. Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits. Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile.
Dispelling a "Root Canal" Myth
If you’re about to have your first root canal treatment, you might be feeling pretty apprehensive about the whole thing, especially given all the stories floating around. Well, don’t worry – knowing what will happen ahead of time is more than half the battle; you will soon learn that it really is much ado about nothing.
So let’s start by dispelling a common myth: Root canal treatment doesn’t cause pain — it relieves it!

What is a Root Canal?
To keep it simple, a root canal removes soft infected tissue from the root canals of your tooth. A space inside the tooth called the “pulp chamber” houses the root canal system and pulp — the living tissue that keeps the tooth alive. The pulp includes blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues, and, during childhood, creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth.
Endodontic treatment (“endo”=inside; “dont”=tooth), commonly known as root canal treatment, is needed when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. The causes could be deep tooth decay, repeated dental procedures on one tooth (replacing a large filling, for example), or traumatic damage such as a crack, chip or even a root fracture. Gum disease can also give rise to root canal problems necessitating root canal treatment.
Any of these issues can result in acute inflammation of the pulp, which causes swelling and pressure inside the tooth (that has nowhere to go), leading to tooth pain and, eventually, irreversible damage to the pulp. This is a very painful condition, very similar to an abscess, and can cause pain in the soft tissue of your cheek and face, headaches, pains shooting down your neck, etc., in addition to the actual severe pain of the infected tooth itself.
This is exactly “why” you need to see your dentist on a regular basis for exams (minimum 2 times a year) so that exams can catch these problems early, before they become severe (except in case of injury).
General Root Canal Treatment
Typically, we will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth and inside the tooth. If you tooth is severely infected, it may take a bit for it to become fully numb, but we won’t start working on you until it is .. this is a pretty painless procedure.
We drill a hole in your tooth to allow us access to the pulp chamber and root canals for treatment. The diseased and dead pulp tissue is removed from the tooth with specially designed instruments used to clean out the root canals and pulp chamber. This is not painful; the area is numb and the tissue being removed is either dead or dying. Once the pulp, along with the nerves contained in it, is removed, the tooth itself can no longer feel pain.
We then clean, medicate, disinfect the canals with antiseptic and antibacterial solutions. The root canals are then “sealed” – filled with root canal fillings. A temporary or permanent filling material will be used to protect the outer surface of your tooth and seal the hole we used so access the pulp chamber and root canals.
Depending on the severity, antibiotics may be prescribed as well as pain medication. To kill any infection and provide comfort following your root canal. It is normal to have 3-5 days of some discomfort from this procedure.
Eventually, your tooth may need a permanent crown to replace any tooth structure lost during the procedure or prior to treatment.
Just remember a root canal is going to relieve your pain, not increase it, and will make for a healthy tooth for the rest of your life.
- Rogue W.4/03/2021 - Google
I have the worst dental anxiety and have been to so many dentists in my 30 some years, but by... read moreI have the worst dental anxiety and have been to so many dentists in my 30 some years, but by far this dental office is the absolute best! They make sure I'm comfortable, calm, and they talk me through everything. If it wasn't for Dr. Simper I might have waited a lot longer to get my teeth fixed. All the staff have been so understanding and helpful! I will always highly recommend them. You won't regret choosing Southridge Dental! read less
Ouida H.4/02/2021 - GoogleI fell and chipped my front teeth.😐 Dr. Simpler was able to take me in the next day.😊 I didn't... read moreI fell and chipped my front teeth.😐 Dr. Simpler was able to take me in the next day.😊 I didn't know what to expect, but he assured me I would have a beautiful smile again. EVERYONE in the office made me feel very comfortable. In two visits he gave me 4 gorgeous teeth and my smile surpasses any of my expectations! 😁
Thank you sooo much Dr. Simpler. I love my new smile. I can't say I look forward to our next visit. 😉 But it's comforting to know that you and your staff are awesome. I'll be going to Southridge Dental for all my dental care.😁 read lessRandi G.4/01/2021 - GoogleI am a person who has severe anxiety in the dentist office, so much that I've usually had to have... read moreI am a person who has severe anxiety in the dentist office, so much that I've usually had to have gas just to sit in the chair. I was pleasantly surprised by this office. The staff are welcoming and very friendly. They have a warm inviting environment. I've never been treated better at the dentist office. I had no anxiety and felt at ease. Every step was explained in detail. I would definatly recommend this office. read less
- Rachael G.3/17/2021 - Google
This is the best dentist I have ever been to. The staff is super nice. The doctors are super caring.... read moreThis is the best dentist I have ever been to. The staff is super nice. The doctors are super caring. Also might I mention they offer warm neck rolls and paraffin hand was treatments while your teeth are being worked on. read less
Stephanie B.3/09/2021 - GoogleOffice has a very warm and inviting atmosphere, friendly staff where they take their time, answer any questions you have,... read moreOffice has a very warm and inviting atmosphere, friendly staff where they take their time, answer any questions you have, with thorough appointments making seeing the Dentist a pleasant experience... highly recommended!!
Left the above review about 10 months ago! Today I broke a tooth and they were able to get me in and taken care of in the same day... truly a life saver today and very much appreciated! The staff is always pleasant with every visit! read lessMonica C.3/01/2021 - GoogleAmazing dental office! Everyone there is friendly they offer a comfort menu with a variety of things to choose from!... read moreAmazing dental office! Everyone there is friendly they offer a comfort menu with a variety of things to choose from! Paraffin hand wax has to be my favorite! The girls in reception are also so welcoming and amazing at helping me with all of my financial needs. I definitely recommend this dental office. Great prices & it feels like your at a spa instead of a dental office. read less
- Brianna K.3/01/2021 - Google
Out of all the Dental office's I have been in and worked for, this office is by far the best.... read moreOut of all the Dental office's I have been in and worked for, this office is by far the best. The staff is so welcoming, they are beyond amazing. Definitely feel like part of the family and I look forward to continuing my journey with them! This office doesn't make you feel like it's a dental office, comfort is their main priority! read less
Lucero R.2/18/2021 - GoogleVery very nice place, everything was clean, staff was very friendly, doctors and assistance were very informative about everything with... read moreVery very nice place, everything was clean, staff was very friendly, doctors and assistance were very informative about everything with my teeth. Alot of complementary stuff to make you feel even more welcome like snack and warm towels and etc. At the end of my visit the two secretaries were friendly and explained what my insurance covered and what was done to me that day. All in all I'm definitely coming back and recommending my friends and family. read less
Dave S.2/13/2021 - GoogleOutstanding experience. Katie explained the entire process well and was awesome with the imaging and cleaning. Dr. Kayla was... read moreOutstanding experience. Katie explained the entire process well and was awesome with the imaging and cleaning. Dr. Kayla was very nice and the ultimate pro in explaining some issues that I really didn't want to hear about my situation. You need three pros in your life. A great barber, a great auto mechanic and a great dentist. I've just move to the Tri-Cities and have found my great dentist. read less