Restorative Dentistry
Root Canal Therapy
Gentle, effective root canal therapy that relieves pain and saves your natural tooth whenever possible.
A root canal is recommended when the soft tissue inside a tooth, called the pulp, becomes infected or severely inflamed, usually due to deep decay, a crack, or repeated dental procedures on the same tooth. Left untreated, this kind of infection can cause serious pain and may eventually lead to tooth loss or a more serious infection.
During root canal therapy, we remove the damaged pulp, thoroughly clean and disinfect the canals inside the tooth, and seal them to prevent future infection. We use modern anesthesia and, when needed, sedation, so the procedure itself is no more uncomfortable than getting a routine filling, despite its reputation.
After a root canal, most back teeth need a crown to restore their strength and protect against future fractures, since the tooth can become more brittle without its nerve supply. The biggest advantage of root canal therapy is that it lets you keep your natural tooth rather than having it extracted and replaced with a bridge or implant, which helps preserve your natural bite and jawbone.
Most patients report feeling significantly better once the infection is removed, and our compassionate team is here to guide you through every step of the process with care.
Signs You Need It
A badly infected or inflamed dental pulp causes intense pain, prolonged sensitivity, or swelling. Root canal therapy removes the infection to stop pain and save the tooth.
Procedure
Our endodontic process involves removing the damaged nerve and pulp inside the tooth, thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the canals, then sealing them. We use comfortable anesthesia and sedation, so the procedure feels like getting a filling.
Restoration
After your root canal, we restore the tooth's structure with a filling or crown (usually a crown for back teeth). This step is crucial to strengthen the tooth and prevent fractures. GN Dental provides durable crowns that match your tooth color.
Pain Relief & Preservation
The goal is to relieve your pain quickly. Most patients report feeling much better after the swelling and infection are removed. You keep your natural tooth rather than opting for an extraction and bridge/implant.
Contrary to rumors, root canals are no more uncomfortable than getting a routine filling, but they save your tooth and the bone around it. Let our compassionate team guide you through the process, ensuring you feel informed and comfortable.
Saving Your Natural Tooth Whenever Possible
Whenever a tooth can be saved, we favor root canal therapy over extraction, since keeping your natural tooth preserves the surrounding bone and avoids the need for a bridge or implant later on.
Modern anesthesia and technique have made root canals far more comfortable than their reputation suggests. Most patients describe the experience as similar to getting a routine filling.
What to Expect
- Numbing
The tooth and surrounding area are thoroughly numbed with local anesthesia.
- Cleaning the Canals
The infected or damaged pulp is removed, and the canals are cleaned and disinfected.
- Sealing
The canals are filled and sealed to prevent future infection.
- Restoration
A filling or crown is placed to restore the tooth's strength, usually a crown for back teeth.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- Severe or throbbing tooth pain, especially when chewing
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold
- Swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum near a tooth
- A tooth that has darkened or discolored
Cost and Insurance
Root canal therapy is generally covered, at least in part, by dental insurance and Medi-Cal, since it treats an infection rather than a cosmetic concern. We verify your benefits and provide a clear estimate, including the cost of the crown that typically follows, before starting treatment.
Root canal cost depends on which tooth is affected, since front teeth have fewer canals than back teeth and take less time to treat. Starting prices are:
- Anterior (front) tooth root canal: starting at $699
- Premolar root canal: starting at $799
- Molar (back) tooth root canal: starting at $899
Why Patients Choose GN Dental
- Comfortable, modern technique that is no worse than getting a filling
- Same-day pain relief for infected or badly inflamed teeth
- A focus on saving your natural tooth whenever possible
- Follow-up crown placement to protect the tooth long term
Serving Your Area
Our office location, serving Yuba City directly.
Just minutes across the Feather River or along Highway 20.
Easily reached via Highway 99.
Convenient for patients throughout southern Sutter and Yuba counties.
Just north of our Yuba City office.
Honest guidance on timing and travel if you are considering our office.
Root Canal Questions
Related Services
Durable, natural-looking crowns and bridges that restore damaged or missing teeth, including same-day options.
Same-day relief for toothaches, broken teeth, and other urgent dental problems in Yuba City.
In pain right now? Our Alturas Street office prioritizes same-day evaluation for Yuba City patients dealing with a badly infected or inflamed tooth.
GN Dental / Yuba City