Yes. Root canal treatment is a well-established dental procedure used to treat inflammation or infection inside a tooth while preserving the natural tooth whenever possible.

During root canal therapy, the affected tissue is removed, the root canal system is carefully cleaned and disinfected, and the canals are sealed to reduce the risk of reinfection.

As with any dental procedure, no treatment is completely without risk. Your endodontist will evaluate the tooth, review the expected benefits and possible alternatives, and determine whether root canal treatment is appropriate for your individual situation.

Modern root canal treatment is performed with local anesthesia, and most patients are comfortable during the procedure.

In fact, the pain associated with a tooth needing treatment is often caused by inflammation or infection before the root canal is performed. Treatment is intended to address the source of that discomfort.

Some tenderness when biting or chewing is normal for several days afterward as the tissues surrounding the tooth recover. This discomfort usually improves gradually and can often be managed with appropriate over-the-counter pain medication.

Learn more about what happens during root canal therapy and what to expect after treatment.

There is no reliable scientific evidence that properly performed root canal treatment causes systemic illness or chronic disease elsewhere in the body.

Concerns about root canals causing disease are often based on an outdated theory from the early 1900s suggesting that bacteria trapped inside a root canal-treated tooth could cause illness throughout the body. That theory has not been supported by modern scientific evidence.

Root canal treatment is designed to remove inflamed or infected tissue, disinfect the internal root canal system, and seal the tooth so it can remain functional.

If you have concerns about whether preserving a particular tooth is appropriate for you, Dr. Safi can discuss the condition of the tooth, its prognosis, and reasonable treatment alternatives.

Dental X-rays use a small amount of ionizing radiation to provide information that cannot always be obtained through a clinical examination alone.

In endodontics, imaging can help identify infection, evaluate root anatomy, assess previous treatment, and guide treatment planning. When additional information is needed, a limited-field 3D CBCT scan may sometimes be recommended.

Imaging is prescribed based on clinical need rather than performed routinely without indication. Our goal is to obtain the diagnostic information necessary for your care while keeping radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable.

Whenever a tooth has a reasonable long-term prognosis, preserving the natural tooth is often the preferred option.

A natural tooth helps maintain normal chewing function, preserves the surrounding bone and tooth position, and avoids the need to replace the tooth with a bridge, implant, or removable prosthesis.

Root canal treatment can allow a damaged or infected tooth to remain functional for many years when the tooth can be properly treated and restored.

Not every tooth can or should be saved, however. Cracks, severe structural damage, periodontal disease, or other conditions may affect the prognosis. The goal is to recommend treatment only when preserving the tooth is considered predictable and worthwhile.