Root Canal Therapy
What is a root canal?
A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges.
At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums.
If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment. We use local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. In addition, we will provide nitrous oxide analgesia if indicated. You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine.
The above x-rays are an example of a great root canal performed by Dr. Vela on Feb. 6, 2015. The canals were curved and it is the furthest tooth back on the left side of the mouth. The patient left happy with a painless root canal and the end result looks great and should last a lifetime.
What happens after treatment?
When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to respond. To prevent further decay, continue to practice good dental hygiene.
How much will it cost?
The cost associated with this procedure can vary depending on factors such as the severity of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth.
Endodontic Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of endodontic procedures, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to root canal therapy are discussed.
Endodontic Associates of Iowa
Patient Review
Dr Chamberlain was amazing. He is one of the best endodontist, I have ever dealt with. His assistant was amazing as well. I am very happy to have my care in that practice
- Naser A
Patient Review
Great visit, explained everything and made a procedure that is normally painful and made it pain free. I’m home and the numbness has worn off but still no pain. Thank you!!
- Hashem J
Patient Review
So pleased with everyone! I was an emergency add on and everyone was so calm and helpful! I would recommend Dr. Cobb to anyone needing endodontic care!
- Myrna D
Patient Review
It was a nice surprise to be able to get my root canal done on the same day as the evaluation. Also, I love the new technology Dr. Cobb is using! it made the procedure go by fast (and probably is easier for him, too :). Thanks for providing the fish video; it's soothing and interesting!
- Julia W
Patient Review
Very pleased.
- Dennis O
Patient Review
I would highly recommend this office. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I was treated with care and was given quick feedback and plenty of options for the situation. They made this experience much better than what it could have been hands down.
- Miles U
Patient Review
Simply amazed with the exceptional professionalism...friendliness & caring of the Doctor & Assistant!!! AMAZING experience
- Brenda S
Patient Review
I was relieved and happy to find myself in a warm, kind, friendly place with highly skilled providers.
- Kathy S
Patient Review
The doctor and staff was amazing! Felt so much better after my appointment!!
- Dee C
Patient Review
Excellent service and care!
- Lucinda M
Patient Review
Beautiful office. Great staff!!! Would highly recommend!!
- Jessica H
Patient Review
Did a great, pain free job during a root canal, after the numbness wore off I felt NO pain whatsoever, which astonished me. Very nice people too and quite fun to deal with (despite needing a root canal). Can't say enough good things about Dr. Choi and her associate (whose name I forget darn it, even though we had a long discussion about it's origins).
- Edward K
Patient Review
I was so comfortable that I almost fell asleep during the procedure. Dr Choi and her assistant were both amazing!
- Sam M
Patient Review
An extremely friendly staff and pain free experience. Very comfortable setting and would greatly recommend.
- Tami P
Patient Review
For someone who is very anxious with dental procedures, this was amazing. I literally had no pain and everything was explained to me very well. Thank you Dr. Choi and staff for putting me at ease and fixing my tooth!
- Kaitlyn T
Patient Review
Both times I came into your office, I had a great experience. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. The doctors are amazing. Both times I was taken care of very well. Thanks!
- Heba N
Patient Review
Wonderful job. Feel great as if it never happen. Thank you!!!
- Lori W
Patient Review
Thanks for taking care of me
- David R
Patient Review
I am very satisfied and pleased with the treatment received by everyone at the clinic, especially Dr. Chamberlain. He is a superb professional with the skills required to make complex treatments painless, effective and the outcomes better than expected. He is very personable, friendly, easy going with a charismatic personality that makes you want to stay after the procedure so that you can continue interacting with him. The clinic website is magnificent, easy to follow, with lots of information pertaining to registration, pre-visit and post-visit procedures as well as what to expect during the procedure.
- Walter R
Patient Review
This was my first root canal, and I couldn't be more happy with my experience. My dentist referred me after I lost a crown and I was able to come in the same day, and was treated by a great doc. Dr. Chamberlain has a great reputation in the community, and he lived up to that reputation! Wonderful!!
- Nathan S