Getting ready for your procedure is essential to making the root canal procedure as smooth and comfortable as possible. Ensure that you eat before your appointment, stay hydrated, and if you have any medication, continue to take it as prescribed. 

Whether you are here for emergency treatment to alleviate pain or a consultation to see if a root canal is necessary for you, we place patient care first.

Clients rarely have to wait long before they meet Dr. Fitzhugh and start their appointment. Dr. Fitzhugh will examine the affected tooth and take CBCT imaging to get a 3-D image of the tooth. 

We generally perform treatment the same day to relieve pain as fast as possible. We also offer no-obligation consultations. After the examination, Dr. Fitzhugh can create a treatment plan and help you estimate the cost with or without insurance. 

A local anesthetic is applied to the area, numbing so that the patient doesn't feel pain during the procedure. In addition, we offer nitrous oxide gas to help ease nervous patients. We can arrange for an anesthesiologist to sedate patients who prefer not to be conscious of their root canal procedure.

Patients can drive home after treatment, except after sedation. So if you decide that you would like to have an anesthesiologist sedate you, arrange a ride to and from your appointment.

The actual procedure will take between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on the tooth, mouth anatomy, and the degree of the infection. Pain relief should start right away. There is post-operational tenderness and pain, but for many patients, it is nothing compared to the pain of an infected root.

Post-Operation Care Instructions

After the operation, the tenderness and post-operational soreness may persist for upwards of two weeks. If the pain persists, contact us. Dr. Fitzhugh will give you detailed instructions on how to recover from your root canal procedure. Make sure to follow his instructions. If you are prescribed antibiotics, painkillers, or anti-inflammatory medication, make sure to take it as prescribed. In addition, patients should: 

  • Avoid chewing with the healing tooth.
  • Stick to soft nonsticky foods like yogurt, bananas, apple sauce, eggs, and mashed potatoes.
  • Avoid chewy, hard, and crunchy food.
  • Stay away from foods that are either very hot or cold.

Quick Root Canal FAQs

What happens to my tooth after a root canal?

If an infected tooth is left unattended, it eventually dies. Because of the root canal procedure, we can save the tooth and keep it in the mouth.

Once the procedure is complete, the tooth will die, but the tooth will stay in the patient's mouth because the infection has been removed and the tooth has been sealed.

The only other treatment option available for a tooth with an infected root is extraction. Dentists recommend leaving the natural teeth in the mouth as long as possible for the best oral health.

Do root canals hurt?

No, root canal procedures do not hurt when performed appropriately. The most painful part of the whole procedure is the administration of the local anesthetic. Root canal therapy removes the inflamed and infected part of the tooth that is causing most of the pain. For many patients, a root canal is a pain-relieving procedure.

How long will the procedure take?

The typical root canal takes about 30 minutes to complete, though depending on the extent of the root canal, it can take upwards of an hour.

This page will list info for your patients' first visit.