If you have an infected tooth or a nerve in your tooth is in pain, then you may need a root canal.
Root canals are an important procedure to save badly damaged or infected teeth. You often hear the phrase “root canal” used because the treatment involves cleaning the canals inside a tooth’s root. Back in the day, getting a root canal could be really painful, but thankfully greater advancements like anesthesia and endodontic tools have made it much more tolerable.
A root canal is a procedure where the nerve and pulp of a tooth are removed and replaced with an artificial filling. A root canal is typically performed when a tooth becomes infected or inflamed, but it can also be done as a preventive measure if your dentist sees any damage to the inside of the tooth.
Root canals are an excellent way to save your teeth. If you have an infected tooth or a nerve in your tooth is in pain, then you may need a root canal. Root canals are performed by a dentist to remove the pulp of the tooth, which contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. It is often necessary if infection or swelling of the nerve occurs.
Root canals are performed when the nerve in your tooth is in pain. The dentist will start by numbing your tooth. They then drill into the root of the infected tooth, disinfect it and fill it with a filling material or crown. If you have an infected or hurting nerve in your tooth, then you may need a root canal.
This procedure is often used to save the tooth and alleviate the pain. An endodontist will carefully remove all of the infected nerves and tissue from the root canals of your teeth and replace them with a filling (usually gutta-percha). The final step of this process is to seal off the area.
Teeth are different from other parts of the body because there is limited blood supply to the center of each tooth. Therefore, if infected, the center of a tooth cannot benefit from the cells in the blood that cause healing, and the infection inside the tooth will persist.
The only way to remove the infection is by accessing the center of the tooth and its roots and thoroughly cleaning them out. This is called a root canal treatment.
Once the center of the tooth and roots are cleaned from top to bottom, these areas are then filled with filling material. This procedure removes the infection and allows for proper healing of the tooth.
It is often preferred to save a tooth if possible instead of removing it, because there is nothing that feels more natural than your own teeth.
Since the root canal is at the center of the tooth, it can be difficult to know whether you need a root canal or not. Luckily, there are dental professionals who specialize in extracting this type of tooth infection. Please contact us about whether or not you should get a root canal treatment.
We use very modern techniques that ensure a faster and better quality root canal treatment. Also, just like all procedures we provide, we will make sure you have a good experience!
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Dominic Agana4 November 2026
Excellent servicePosted on Google![]()
justmad71827 October 2026
Everyone at Northside Family Dentistry is so nice and helpful. I would gladly recommend to anyone!!Posted on Google![]()
Mary Novak27 October 2026
I highly recommend Northside Family Dentistry for your dental health. Friendly, professional staff with clean exam and reception areas.Posted on Google![]()
JAMES KAIMANN26 October 2026
This is an outstanding dental office! The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and totally professional. The technicians are fantastic and the Doctor is 1st class. This office is located right off Main Street on Highway P in O'Fallon Missouri. Just a little bit north of Highway 70.Posted on Google![]()
Brant Wilson26 October 2026
Great dentist and a wonderful friendly staff !Posted on Google![]()
Tammy Delgado21 October 2026
I absolutely love everything about Northside Family Dentistry! All of the hygienist are funny, caring, and really listen when you tell them what is going on prior to seeing the dentist himself. I love the fact that he is so honest and never tries to push you into any work that does not need to be done!Posted on Google![]()
Mack MILLER21 October 2026
My app. went very well and the dentist saved me money by not doing a crown that he didn't think I needed .Posted on Google![]()
RE19 October 2026
Everyone is very nice and professional glad I started going here.Posted on Google![]()
Jennifer Ford13 October 2026
Very kind! Personable! I was able to get an appointment quickly! Overall great experience!Posted on Google![]()
walter deeken8 October 2026
Everyone was very friendly and accommodating. When other dentists were booking 3+ months out, they gave me an appointment 1 month out and then moved me up 2 weeks. Dental hygienist did an outstanding job and was very professional.Posted on Google![]()
Vincent Nonya8 October 2026
Great staff, on time appointments.Posted on Google![]()
stef milich5 October 2026
2 year customer. They’re amazing!Posted on Google![]()
cristinamaewilson4 October 2026
Very professional and polite. Answered all me questions. No pain was felt!!Posted on Google![]()
kayla Cunningham30 September 2026
The best dentist I have ever been too. The whole staff is amazing. I highly recommend! They are great with kids as well!Posted on Google![]()
Pam Batchelor30 September 2026
Katie did a great job cleaning my teeth. I have had an irrational fear of the dentist most of my life but since coming to Northside I have really no anxiety.Posted on Google![]()
Jessica Tocco30 September 2026
We love Northside for our whole family - always very professional and responsive to issues. So happy we found a dental home.Posted on Google![]()
C Kelts30 September 2026
All went well very polite, professional and my teeth feel great :)Posted on Google![]()
Brian B25 September 2026
Always an excellent experience. Some dentist offices try to get you to pay for unnecessary dental work. Northside gets you in and out with no unnecessary "upsells."Posted on Google![]()
David Brandt18 September 2026
Very personable and accommodating staff. Highly recommend them.Posted on Google![]()
John Gremard17 September 2026
It has been a few years since I have been to the Dentist. Katie was very friendly and professional. Dr.Hoff was also nice and professional. Overall it was a very pleasant experience!!Posted on Google![]()
Avery Torbett16 September 2026
Dr. Ryan Hough and his team are the definition of perfection. I have an extremely difficult time, going to the dentist and have been shamed by previous dentist when I was a kid which really turned me off from going at all. Dr. Hough is so kind and understanding. He understands that it’s hard for some people and his literal response is “that’s okay, I’m happy you’re here now” and here’s what we can do to help you. I followed him from his previous practice and he’s literally the only dentist I trust. 10/10!Posted on Google![]()
Maureen Feeherty10 September 2026
Very gentle and great service. Very nice staff. Would recommend this dentistry to everyone I know.Posted on Google![]()
Camaro Red10 September 2026
I has an emergency with a broken tooth.and had an appointment right away….Thank-You.Everyone was very nice a helpful.And they all laughed at all my old stale jokes.