Let’s be honest, hearing the words root canal can make anyone a little nervous. But the truth is, getting a root canal isn’t the nightmare it used to be. Thanks to modern dentistry, it’s now a smooth, pain-free procedure that actually relieves pain rather than causes it. There are around 15 million root canals performed each year in the United States. If your general dentist has recommended this procedure for you and you’re feeling a tad nervous about it, you’re in the right place. 

Read on to learn everything you need to know, get an answer to common questions, and find out where you can find the best endodontist for a root canal in Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Mountain View.

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure that can save severely damaged or infected teeth from needing to be extracted. It is usually recommended when the soft inner tissue of a tooth, called the dental pulp, becomes infected due to deep dental decay, cracks in the tooth, or dental injury that causes intense pain and can lead to abscesses. 

During a root canal procedure, an endodontist first creates a small opening in the tooth, removes the infected pulp, and thoroughly cleans the inner canals. These cleaned canals are then filled with a rubber-like material and sealed to prevent future infection. Lastly, a dental crown is typically placed over the tooth to restore its function and appearance. 

Though root canals have a reputation for being painful, modern techniques and anesthetics make the procedure far more comfortable than in the past, while allowing patients to keep their natural teeth instead of requiring extraction.

Does a Root Canal Hurt? The Truth Behind the Myth

One of the biggest misconceptions about root canals is that they're excruciatingly painful. This outdated belief stems from practices decades ago, before modern root canal techniques evolved. With today's advanced techniques, numbing medications, precision instruments, and dental imaging technology, most patients now feel little to no discomfort during the procedure. In reality, a root canal typically relieves pain rather than causes it, as it removes the infected nerve tissue that's been causing intense toothaches. 

What Happens During a Root Canal? A Step-by-Step Breakdown

A root canal procedure requires a dentist with highly specialized training in endodontics to save your infected tooth. Although your treatment plan may differ slightly, it will generally look something like this:

  • First, the endodontist will take dental X-rays to assess the severity of the infection before thoroughly numbing the area with local anesthesia. This ensures you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. Sedation dentistry may also be used if you’re particularly anxious or have more than one tooth being worked on. 
  • Once you're numb, a small protective sheet called a dental dam isolates the tooth to keep it clean and dry. Your dentist then creates a tiny opening in the crown of your tooth to access the infected pulp chamber and root canals. 
  • Using specialized instruments, they then carefully remove all infected or dead pulp tissue, bacteria, and debris from inside these spaces. 
  • Next, the cleaned canals are shaped, thoroughly disinfected with antimicrobial solutions, and dried. 
  • The empty canals are then filled with a rubber-like filling material called gutta-percha that seals them to prevent future infection. 
  • Lastly, a temporary filling closes the access hole until your next appointment, when a permanent crown or filling is placed to restore the tooth's strength and function. 

Most root canals require just one or two appointments, and you'll likely return to normal activities the very same day with a tooth that's been saved rather than extracted. Additionally, saving your natural tooth will ensure that you don’t experience bone loss, which is common for those who are missing a permanent tooth. 

What to Expect After a Root Canal: Recovery & Aftercare

After a root canal, recovery is typically much easier than most patients anticipate:

  • For the first 24 to 48 hours, you may experience mild tenderness or soreness in the treated area as the numbing medication wears off and your body's natural healing process begins. This discomfort is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, though your dentist might prescribe stronger medication if needed. 
  • It's best to avoid chewing on the treated tooth until your permanent restoration is in place. The temporary filling isn't designed for full chewing force, and the tooth is more fragile until fully restored. 
  • Your endodontist will provide specific aftercare instructions, including proper brushing and flossing techniques around the area, and will likely schedule a follow-up appointment to check healing progress and place the permanent restoration. 

Most patients return to their normal activities the very next day. With proper oral hygiene habits, teeth treated with a root canal in Mountain View can remain healthy and functional for many years, potentially even a lifetime.

How to Avoid a Root Canal 

Preventing the need for a root canal is largely within your control through consistent dental care habits and prompt attention to warning signs. To prevent the need for a root canal in the future, your daily dental hygiene routine should include brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing between all teeth, and using an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce harmful bacteria that cause decay. 

Equally important to your daily oral hygiene habits are regular six-month dental checkups, where your dentist can detect and treat small cavities before they reach the tooth's inner pulp. Your dentist may recommend more frequent dental checkups if your dental health is teetering on the edge of periodontal disease. 

Perhaps the most effective way to avoid a root canal is responding quickly to warning signs. Even minor tooth sensitivity, persistent tooth pain, or small visible chips warrant immediate dental attention, as these early interventions can often prevent the infection from progressing to the point of needing root canal therapy. 

Where to Find the Best Root Canal Specialist in Mountain View

At The Modern Endodontist, we serve patients in need of root canals in Palo Alto, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View — and we’re not just passionate about root canal treatment! We’re passionate about patient-focused care, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to the greater good. Led by Dr. Yarah Beddawi, a highly skilled endodontist with training from UCSF and Boston University, our practice prioritizes patient comfort with advanced microsurgical techniques that ensure precision and pain-free procedures. Whether you’re in Sunnyvale, Los Altos, or Palo Alto, we offer the best root canal treatments in the region.

What truly sets our clinic apart is Dr. Beddawi’s dedication to community service, environmental responsibility, and ethical dentistry, which shines through in every aspect of her work. As the only carbon-neutral dental office in the area, The Modern Endodontist proves that exceptional patient care and social responsibility can go hand in hand. 

Ready to get compassionate root canal therapy from the best endodontist in Mountain View?