These Are the Signs We Hear Most
Recognizing yourself in this list is the first step. Relief is usually much closer than the pain makes it feel.
What Waiting Actually Costs You
Infection Spreads Beyond the Tooth
Bacteria move into the surrounding bone and tissue, turning a contained problem into a larger one.
Treatment Becomes More Involved
What one visit could have handled may end up needing extra appointments or a specialist.
Costs Add Up Fast
Losing the tooth means paying for removal plus a replacement, rather than one straightforward repair.
Sleep and Meals Suffer
Nights get shorter and meals get smaller when every bite lands on a sore tooth.
Saving the Tooth Gets Harder
Once too much structure breaks down, keeping your natural tooth stops being an option.
Pain Relievers Lose Ground
Over the counter medication masks less and less as the infection settles deeper inside.
Treating it early keeps the fix simple and the outcome predictable.
What Root Canal Therapy Actually Involves
A root canal (treatment that saves an infected tooth) clears out the soft tissue at the center of a tooth once decay or a crack lets bacteria reach it. We clean and shape the hollow space, then fill it with a rubber like material that seals bacteria out. A temporary filling or crown protects the tooth while it settles, and a permanent restoration follows a few weeks later.
Before we begin, digital X-rays and, when a case calls for it, cone beam 3D scanning show us the shape of the roots and the extent of the infection. Patients who come to us at Galleria Dentistry for root canal therapy in Naples get local anesthetic and nitrous oxide, so the appointment stays comfortable from start to finish.
Most cases finish in a single appointment
Sealed with gutta-percha, a rubber like filling material
Permanent crown or filling placed a few weeks later
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
Who Root Canal Therapy Helps Most
Have a toothache that keeps coming back after it seems to settle
Are living with sensitivity to hot and cold that lingers
Notice tenderness or swelling in the gums around one tooth
Want to keep your natural tooth rather than replace it
Have been told the decay runs too deep for a filling
Not Sure Where You Stand
What to Expect During Root Canal Therapy
Exam and Diagnosis
We start by listening to what you have been feeling, then take a digital X-ray of the tooth and the bone around it. An intraoral camera lets us show you the images on the screen while we explain what we see. You leave this step knowing exactly what is happening inside the tooth and why treatment makes sense.
Comfort and Numbing
Nitrous oxide is available if you would rather feel more relaxed during treatment. Your dentist will confirm whether it fits your treatment and your health history.
Clearing the Infection
Once you are comfortable, we open a small access point in the top of the tooth and remove the infected tissue causing your pain. The inside is cleaned, shaped, and sealed with gutta-percha, a rubber like material that keeps bacteria from returning. A temporary filling or crown goes on top, and the ache you walked in with is already gone.
Permanent Restoration
After a few weeks of healing, you come back so we can place the long term restoration that protects the treated tooth. Many crowns are designed and milled right in our office, which means the fit and the shade get checked while you are in the chair. Your tooth looks like the ones beside it and handles everyday chewing again.
Ready to Chew Comfortably Again?
Recovering Comfortably After Root Canal Therapy
First 24 to 48 Hours
Numbness wears off over a few hours, so hold off on chewing until full feeling returns. Mild soreness around the tooth is common and responds well to over the counter pain relief or a cold compress on your cheek. Soft foods make the first day easy.
First Week
Tenderness fades noticeably within a few days, and most people return to work or their usual routine right away. Keep brushing and flossing gently around the treated tooth, and chew on the other side until your permanent restoration is in place. By the end of the week, the tooth usually feels unremarkable.
Questions About Recovery? We are happy to help.
Quality Dental Care That Fits Your Budget
Cost should not be the reason treatment waits. We work with three financing companies, so you can spread payments across months that suit your budget rather than paying for everything at once.
NO Credit Score Impact Until Plan Selected.
NO Credit Score Impact Until Plan Selected.
NO Credit Score Impact Until Plan Selected.
Get Approved and Start Your Treatment Today
Root Canal Therapy FAQs
Does a root canal hurt?
How long does the appointment take?
How soon can I get in?
Can I go back to work afterward?
Will I need a crown afterward?
Is it better to just pull the tooth?
How long does a treated tooth last?
What happens if I wait?
Can I eat before my appointment?
Are root canals safe?
Still Have Questions?
