Anesthesia & Preparation
We numb the area completely so you won't feel pain during the procedure. Many patients report feeling nothing more than slight pressure.
Yuma's Best Dentist
We Believe In Healing Your Toothache
A toothache can be unbearable. If you're dealing with severe tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold or swollen gums, you might need a root canal.
The good news? Modern root canal treatment is far more comfortable than its reputation suggests, and it can save your natural tooth while relieving your pain.
At Arizona Avenue Dentistry, we use the latest technology to make root canals as painless as possible. You'll leave our Yuma office feeling better, not worse.
Schedule Your Root Canal Appointment or call (928) 782-3685 for same-day emergency care.
A root canal is a dental procedure that treats infection or damage deep inside your tooth. When the soft tissue inside your tooth (called the pulp) becomes infected or inflamed, it can cause severe pain and lead to an abscess if left untreated.
During a root canal, we remove the infected pulp, clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth, then seal it to prevent future infection. The procedure saves your natural tooth so you don't have to have it extracted.
You might need a root canal if you're experiencing any of these symptoms:
If you have any of these symptoms, call us right away at (928) 782-3685. Early treatment can save your tooth and prevent the infection from spreading.
Dental pain doesn't wait for regular office hours. We offer same-day emergency appointments for severe tooth pain. Call (928) 782-3685 now if you're experiencing unbearable pain, swelling or signs of infection.
Understanding what happens during a root canal can help ease any anxiety you might have. Here's what the procedure involves:
We numb the area completely so you won't feel pain during the procedure. Many patients report feeling nothing more than slight pressure.
We create a small opening in the tooth and carefully remove the infected or inflamed pulp tissue from inside.
The inside of the tooth and root canals are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to remove all bacteria and prevent reinfection.
We fill the cleaned canals with a rubber-like material and seal the opening. A temporary filling protects the tooth until your final restoration.
Most root canals can be completed in one or two appointments, depending on the severity of the infection and which tooth is affected.
First Appointment: Diagnosis (X-rays to assess damage), numbing and pain relief, removal of infected tissue, cleaning and disinfecting, temporary filling placement.
Follow-Up Appointment: After the tooth has healed, we'll place a permanent restoration (usually a dental crown) to protect the tooth and restore full function. With our CEREC technology, we can often complete the crown in the same appointment.
The entire process typically takes 1-2 hours total, spread across one or two visits.
This is the most common question we hear, but the answer might surprise you.
The truth: A root canal doesn't cause pain. Instead, a root canal relieves it.
The pain you're experiencing is from the infection inside your tooth, not the treatment. Modern anesthesia and techniques make root canal treatment no more uncomfortable than getting a regular filling. Most patients report feeling immediate relief once the infected tissue is removed.
During the procedure, you'll be completely numb and shouldn't feel any pain, just some pressure as we work. After the anesthesia wears off, you might experience mild tenderness for a few days, but over-the-counter pain medication is usually enough to manage any discomfort.
Delaying treatment, on the other hand, will make the pain worse and could lead to a dental emergency.
When faced with a severely infected tooth, you might wonder: should I get a root canal or just have the tooth pulled?
While extraction might seem like the simpler option, saving your natural tooth with a root canal is almost always the better choice. Here's why:
Your natural tooth root stimulates your jawbone and maintains bone density. Extraction leads to bone loss over time.
A root canal with a crown costs less than extraction plus replacement with a dental implant or bridge.
Keeping your natural tooth prevents adjacent teeth from shifting and maintains your bite alignment.
If you lose a tooth to extraction, you'll need to replace it with a dental implant, bridge or partial denture.
Learn more about your options: Dental Crowns | Restorative Dentistry
Recovery from a root canal is typically quick and straightforward. Here's what you can expect:
Immediately After: The numbness will wear off within a few hours. You might feel some tenderness or sensitivity for 2-3 days, but this should improve quickly.
First Few Days: Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until you get your permanent crown. Stick to soft foods if needed and take over-the-counter pain medication as directed.
Important Follow-Up: You'll need to return for a permanent restoration (crown) to protect the treated tooth. Don't skip this appointment, because the tooth is more fragile without the crown and could break.
Success Rate: Root canals have a 90-95% success rate. With proper care and a crown, your treated tooth can last a lifetime.
Warning Signs: Call us right away if you experience severe pain that doesn't improve, visible swelling or if your temporary filling falls out.
The cost of a root canal varies depending on which tooth is affected (front teeth are simpler than molars) and whether you need a crown afterward. However, root canal treatment typically costs significantly less than extracting the tooth and replacing it with an implant.
Insurance Coverage: Most dental insurance plans cover a portion of root canal treatment because it's considered a necessary procedure to save your tooth. We accept most insurance plans and will work with you to maximize your benefits.
Payment Options: We offer flexible payment options to make treatment affordable. Don't let cost prevent you from getting the care you need, because untreated infections only get worse and more expensive to treat.
Call us at (928) 782-3685 to discuss your specific situation and get an estimate for your treatment.
If you're experiencing severe tooth pain, sensitivity, or swelling, you need care now - not later. The sooner we treat the infection, the better chance we have of saving your tooth and relieving your pain.
Emergency? Call (928) 782-3685 for same-day appointments.
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