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
Thank you for all you do! Keep up the great work!
- Lisa C
Patient Review
It is great that you now have the Mt. Pleasant office. It saves travel time versus Iowa City. I have had three root canals done; two by DR. Hansen and the most recent one (01/06/2016) by Dr. Vela. They both have done exceptional work and are very skilled at their profession. I have never had any complications and the procedures were essentially pain free. If you need the services which they provide I feel they are the practitioners of choice. Great people, great skill and great service!!! I think anyone would be pleased with their exceptional care
- steve s
Patient Review
I was so nervous before my appointment that I couldn't sleep before it. I had a wonderful experience and couldn't be happier. Dr Vela & his wonderful assistant (I think her name was Danielle?) were so sweet. I was greeted with a smile and I never felt like I was a pain to them at all. The root canal was quick and easy and if I ever need another one I will find Dr. Vela wherever he is. I'm telling everyone I know about this. I just am so happy and shocked by how easy it all was. Thank you everyone and merry Christmas.
- G W
Patient Review
I really appreciate how caring and helpful all the staff at the Coralville office is. I had the root canal procedure explained to me thoroughly, I was checked on throughout the procedure to check for pain or comfort level, and the follow-up call was appreciated. I'm glad that Dr. Chamberlain and the office staff made the entire process fairly pain-free and very comfortable.
- Shannon O
Patient Review
Excellent experience! All staff and the doctor were great to deal with Very rapid and (painless) 🙂 thanks for making what could have been a miserable experience, as enjoyable....as a dentist visit can be.
- douglas r
Patient Review
Thank you for caring and expert treatment!
- Daniel C
Patient Review
I could not have asked for a better experience! Everyone was really nice and made me feel at ease. Thank you!
- Jessica A
Patient Review
Dr. Vela and his staff were extremely professional and comforting. The dental assistant answered all of my questions and the dental receptionist was kind. I would recommend this office to everyone.
- Lyndsry C
Patient Review
Nice job, got me in at a moments notice, did the work on my tooth and all done within an hour without any lasting pain. Great job!
- Lanette Q
Patient Review
I was really nervous and the DA was sweet and the doc cared about my Pain.
- Melinda m
Patient Review
The entire procedure went smoothly.
- Frank M
Patient Review
I have received three root canals from this office. I have been pleased each and every time and I tell my friends very time, "where I got it". Thank you all for your service.
- Jeffery E
Patient Review
Great visit problem fixed 1st time
- Alex R
Patient Review
Seriously, if you are searching for the right Doctor to do your root canal, Dr. Hansen and his staff are the only ones to see. I have rated Dr. Hansen 5 star and his staff as well. Very caring people and professional !!!!!
- milburna r
Patient Review
Dr Vela was very informative, and performed a "pain free" root canal. I was impressed with receiving a follow up call to see how I was feeling the next day.
- Donald H
Patient Review
Dr Vela and his staff are the very best. I had been in alot of pain since the weekend. This was my first root canal and I was not looking forward to it at all. Dr Vela made this procedure so easy! I would have never belived it if I had not experienced it myself. It was the Best experience that I have ever had:):):)
- Barbara S
Patient Review
This is my third root canal with Dr. Hansen. He is a wonderful professional: compassionate, funny, and---most importantly---a really terrific endodontist. Once the mild discomfort of receiving the anesthetic was over, the procedure was essentially painless. I have always received outstanding care from Dr. Hansen and I highly recommend him. Despite what everyone always says about root canals, there is no reason to fear this procedure if you can be treated by Dr. Hansen.
- John S
Patient Review
I really was afraid heading into my appointment but the entire staff was nice and friendly and put me at ease. Dr Vela was very nice and very knowledgeable. I thought that he would just take my dentists word for it that I needed a root canal and just do it. But he didn't. He did his own tests to make sure that is what I needed. 45 minutes later I was walking out of the office. No pain during procedure. Very happy!!
- April H
Patient Review
Went way way better than planned. Was back to normal the minute I left the office!!
- Craig J
Patient Review
This was my second root canal in the last ten years, let's just say I was not really looking forward to the procedure. It is now 11 hours post procedure and I have yet to experience any discomfort. I have had a lot of dentists treat my teeth over the years but none has ever been more skillful at numbing me up than Dr. Cobb. The Doc explained the whole process as he did it and at no time did he seem to be in a big hurry to get the job done. I would see him again in a heartbeat and I would recommend his services to anyone.
- Brad M