Root Canals

Northside Family Dentistry

Root Canals In North O'Fallon, MO

Root Canals In Dardenne Prairie, MO

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.

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Northside Family Dentistry

How Root Canals Work

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!

What Our Patients Are Saying

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Jennifer Ford
13 October 2026
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Very kind! Personable! I was able to get an appointment quickly! Overall great experience!
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walter deeken
8 October 2026
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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.
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Vincent Nonya
8 October 2026
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Great staff, on time appointments.
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stef milich
5 October 2026
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2 year customer. They’re amazing!
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cristinamaewilson
4 October 2026
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Very professional and polite. Answered all me questions. No pain was felt!!
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kayla Cunningham
30 September 2026
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The best dentist I have ever been too. The whole staff is amazing. I highly recommend! They are great with kids as well!
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Pam Batchelor
30 September 2026
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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.
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Jessica Tocco
30 September 2026
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We love Northside for our whole family - always very professional and responsive to issues. So happy we found a dental home.
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C Kelts
30 September 2026
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All went well very polite, professional and my teeth feel great :)
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Brian B
25 September 2026
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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."
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David Brandt
18 September 2026
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Very personable and accommodating staff. Highly recommend them.
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John Gremard
17 September 2026
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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!!
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Avery Torbett
16 September 2026
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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!
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Maureen Feeherty
10 September 2026
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Very gentle and great service. Very nice staff. Would recommend this dentistry to everyone I know.
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Camaro Red
10 September 2026
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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.
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Tiffany Northcutt
10 September 2026
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Kind and courteous staff! First visit and I already am glad I chose Northside.
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Steve Lipinski
10 September 2026
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Friendly, fun, professional. Kirsten was excellent cleaning my teeth. All the staff is upbeat, answered all my questions. Great experience!
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Kevin Albaladejo
8 September 2026
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Love this location, Jessica was awesome! Great service all around
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Jerry Huff
27 August 2026
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Everyone is a complete pleasure to be around. They explain all that they are doing and make sure you are comfortable. I came to them with a mouth full of problems and I’m feeling much better about my teeth. It’s taken some time to get where we are at. But it took time for me to get my teeth where they were. The only thing I wish I had been better at my cleaning. They can’t fix stupid
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Chris G
26 August 2026
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Got me in fast for a chipped tooth with some pain. Took care of the issue!
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Kevin Walker
26 August 2026
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Very Friendly staff. They make you feel right at home.
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Justin McDermott
26 August 2026
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Always great service!
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Anna Hough
25 August 2026
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Amazingly friendly staff and a welcoming environment! Great experience, thank you!