Frequently asked questions.

A root canal treated tooth that receives a final permanent restoration can last decades , many last a lifetime. Research shows 85 to 95 percent survival at 10 years for properly treated and restored teeth. Prompt restoration and ongoing dental care are the key factors for long-term success.

No. With effective local anesthesia, root canal treatment should not be painful. You may feel pressure or vibration , not pain. At most Mid-Florida Endodontics locations, we use The Wand computer-assisted anesthesia system for a more comfortable numbing experience.

Most root canals at Mid-Florida Endodontics are completed in a single appointment of 60 to 90 minutes. Complex cases may require a second visit. We provide a time estimate before beginning treatment.

Yes. Root canals are performed under local anesthesia , you are fully awake but the area is completely numb. Nitrous oxide is available at select locations, and oral sedation may also be available , ask when scheduling. You can drive yourself home after local anesthesia only; arrange a driver if any sedation is used.

Most patients feel significantly better within 2 to 3 days. Soreness and tenderness for up to a week is normal. Patients who cannot take NSAIDs may experience longer tenderness. The key is overall improvement , contact your endodontist if symptoms are worsening or not improving at all.

Not necessarily. Pain stopping abruptly after severe toothache most often means the pulp has died , not that the infection has resolved. The infection continues spreading silently into surrounding bone. A tooth that hurt and has gone quiet still requires urgent evaluation.

Significant pain or recurring symptoms months after a root canal should be evaluated. Common causes include a missed untreated canal, recontamination through a leaking restoration, or a crack in the root. A 3D CBCT evaluation at Mid-Florida Endodontics can identify the cause and determine whether retreatment is appropriate.

In most cases, yes , a final permanent restoration is needed to protect the tooth and restore full function. The type of restoration depends on your specific tooth and situation. Your general dentist will advise on the right option, which may be a crown, a buildup, or another restoration. What’s important is scheduling it promptly , within 30 days , so the temporary filling isn’t left as long-term protection.

Do not apply heat or cold compresses to the outside of your face , this can increase swelling. Do not chew hard or crunchy foods on the treated side. Do not delay your final restoration appointment. Take medications as prescribed or recommended by your provider.

No. Antibiotics can reduce the spread of infection but cannot reach the bacterial source inside a necrotic tooth, which has no blood supply. Once the antibiotic course ends, infection returns. Root canal treatment or extraction is the only way to eliminate a dental infection at its source.

Severe throbbing tooth pain that wakes you up at night, sharp pain every time you bite down, visible swelling of the gum or cheek near a tooth, a pimple or bump on the gum, a tooth that feels taller or out of position, or a knocked-out, fractured, or pushed-out-of-position tooth all count as endodontic emergencies. Call your nearest Mid-Florida Endodontics office for a same-day appointment. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling that has spread to your eye or down your neck, uncontrolled bleeding, or a suspected jaw fracture, go to the emergency room or call 911. Learn more: Emergency Root Canal Treatment.

Yes. Mid-Florida Endodontics keeps urgent appointment slots open every weekday at offices across Florida, so a patient with acute tooth pain can usually be seen the same business day, often within a few hours of the call. When the diagnosis is straightforward, the root canal is often completed during that same appointment. You do not need a referral from your general dentist. Learn more: Emergency Root Canal Treatment.

Mid-Florida Endodontics offices are open Monday through Friday, typically 8 am to 5 pm. We do not currently keep regular evening or weekend hours. For pain that starts after hours, take an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen 400-600 mg every 6-8 hours with food (if you tolerate ibuprofen and your doctor has not advised against it), sleep with your head slightly elevated if there is swelling, and call your nearest MFE office first thing the next business morning. If swelling is spreading to your eye, neck, or throat, you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, or you have a fever, go to the emergency room right away. Learn more: Emergency Root Canal Treatment.

Most dental insurance plans with major restorative benefits cover root canal treatment, typically at 50 to 80 percent after the deductible. Some plans require a referral from a general dentist for specialist coverage. Our team verifies your insurance benefits before your appointment.

Yes. Root canal treatment is one of the most studied procedures in dentistry. Claims linking root canals to cancer or systemic disease originate from a discredited 1920s theory. No credible peer-reviewed research supports any such link. The American Cancer Society and all major dental and medical organizations confirm root canal treatment is safe.

In almost all cases where the tooth is restorable, saving it with root canal treatment is the better outcome. Natural teeth preserve bone, maintain bite relationships, and cost less than extraction followed by implant replacement. Extraction is permanent , the natural tooth option is closed forever once removed.

Untreated dental infection spreads from the pulp into surrounding bone, forming a periapical abscess. Bone destruction increases over time, the tooth’s prognosis worsens, and it may become unrestorable. In serious cases, spreading infection can become a life-threatening medical emergency.

Root canal treatment plus a crown has a higher upfront cost than extraction alone, but the true comparison includes the implant, abutment, and crown needed to replace the extracted tooth , which typically costs two to four times as much as saving the natural tooth. Root canal treatment is almost always the more cost-effective path for a restorable tooth.