Family Dentistry

Of Royal Oak

2711 West Webster Rd. | Royal Oak, MI 48073-3700

Family Dentistry > Services > Root Canals

Never fear a root canal at Family Dentistry of Royal Oak. We provide an efficient and comfortable root canal therapy experience from start to finish.

Young man smiling l Root canals royal oak MI

Could You Benefit from a Gentle Root Canal?

Book an Appointment

Root Canals in Royal Oak, MI

Do you need a gentle root canal in Royal Oak, MI?

At Family Dentistry of Royal Oak, we think the root canal's reputation for being painful is unfair, and it’s time for a change.

Did you know that studies have shown that patients who rate root canal therapy as painful are much less likely to have ever had a root canal performed?

At Family Dentistry of Royal Oak, we take advantage of advances in dental technology and techniques to perform gentle root canals that are efficient, effective, and comfortable.

If you have a toothache or tooth sensitivity, we urge you to contact our dental office to schedule an exam with your dentist in Royal Oak, MI.

We also invite you to continue reading to learn more about gentle root canals in Royal Oak, MI.

What is a root canal in Royal Oak, MI?
Do I need a root canal?
Is a root infection a dental emergency?
Will my root canal hurt?
How can I avoid future root canals?

What is a root canal in Royal Oak, MI?

Patient who needs root canal therapy in Royal Oak, MD While the procedure is often referred to as “getting a root canal,” the root canal is technically part of the anatomy of your tooth. The root canal is a naturally occurring space in your tooth that houses the pulp chamber and the tooth’s nerve.

When the pulp chamber becomes injured or infected, or the nerve dies, sometimes the only way to save the tooth is to open it, clean out the infection, and fill the tooth. We may place a crown on your tooth following a root canal, specifically if the infection has rendered it weak. The dental crown supports and protects your tooth as well as restore it to full functionality.

Before we proceed with your root canal therapy, we will make sure that you are completely numb so that you don’t feel pain. Many people who require root canal therapy come to our office in pain, and a root canal relieves that pain.

You may feel some discomfort following the procedure (after the anesthetic has worn off). This distress is your immune system responding to the infection or trauma to the tooth. As soon as your body realizes that the problem has been taken care of, the inflammatory process will stop, and you will feel much better, often within hours following the procedure.

Your dentist may recommend a pain reliever following your gentle root canal in Royal Oak to see you through; typically a store-bought medication is sufficient.

Do I need a root canal?

The symptom that usually brings people into our office for a root canal is pain. This pain can be quite severe and is generally worsened by pressure, especially chewing. If the nerve of the tooth is dead, however, you may not feel any pain.

Some of the other signs that point to a damaged or infected root canal include:

Ongoing sensitivity
Tooth discoloration
An abscess (a pimple-like lesion) in the gums near the tooth
Swelling or pain in the gums near the tooth

If you experience any of these symptoms, call us today to schedule an examination with Royal Oak dentist Dr. Suchi Chalasani.

There are some situations where a root canal is warranted, but no symptoms occur. We sometimes spot these during routine examinations. Your x-rays may show the beginnings of infection or a damaged or dead root.

If this is the case, we will take the time to explain the situation and discuss your treatment options (including what would happen if the situation was left untreated). Ultimately, the decision to treat will always be in your hands.

If you are experiencing any symptoms that may indicate that you need a root canal or if it’s time for a routine examination, please call Family Dentistry of Royal Oak today.

Is a root infection a dental emergency?

In the early stages of a root and pulp infection, you may notice only mild tooth sensitivity. Your dentist in Royal Oak, MI recommends scheduling an appointment at this stage for a tooth evaluation.

It is better to catch a root infection in the earliest stages to preserve your tooth and prevent the spread of infection.

While tooth sensitivity does not necessarily mean you have a root infection, we want you to seek treatment just in case. Tooth sensitivity can graduate to a severe toothache with little notice, which qualifies as a dental emergency.

If you’re already experiencing severe pain, we want you to contact our dental office immediately. At Family Dentistry of Royal Oak, we take your pain seriously and will get you seen by our dentist as soon as possible.

Will my root canal hurt?

We will make every possible effort to ensure that your root canal procedure is comfortable and you feel no pain. We will use whatever numbing agent that your case requires so that your root canal is painless. We offer the latest dental technologies to make this procedure more efficient than ever before.

The pain commonly associated with root canals is wrongly attributed to the procedure itself. The infection that necessitates a root canal is the painful part. Our patients feel much better after the infection is taken care of through root canal therapy.

In many cases, a root canal may be the only way to save your natural tooth and prevent the spread of infection. The procedure works to restore health to the tooth and make it functional again.

The root canal in Royal Oak, MI is a routine dental service that we provide with expertise and a gentle touch.

You may experience some discomfort following the procedure, once the anesthesia wears off. We'll assist in making you more comfortable during this time, but the pain and inflammation will quickly recede once your immune system realizes that the problem is no longer there.

Dr. Chalasani will then provide you with the care and instruction you need for quick healing after the procedure.

How can I avoid future root canals?

Patient who relieved tooth pain with a root canal The best way to avoid a root canal in Royal Oak, MI is through proper dental care and excellent oral hygiene.

The American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice per year for routine exams and teeth cleanings, and your dentist in Royal Oak agrees.

During your exam, your dentist assesses your teeth and gums, looks for signs of early infection and may take x-rays to rule out underlying decay or other oral health issues. Your exam also includes an oral cancer screening.

Your professional teeth cleaning clears away tartar and bacteria that even the most diligent brushers and flossers miss—the very ingredients that lead to decay, root infections, and periodontal disease.

If you notice tooth sensitivity between dental visits, or if you suffer a tooth trauma, we encourage you to contact our dental office immediately to schedule an exam.

An excellent at-home oral care routine means brushing and flossing at least twice each day. A member of our team can provide optimal brushing and flossing tips—as well as nutritional choices—to help you keep your smile healthy.

Between your at-home efforts and the diligence of your Royal Oak dentist, you can significantly lower your risk for root infections and root canal therapy.

Your Gentle Root Canal in Royal Oak, MI

If you’re exhibiting signs of a root infection, or if you haven’t visited the dentist during the last six months, contact our dental office today to schedule your dental exam and teeth cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the inside of a tooth like?

If you know what the anatomy of your tooth is like, you may be better able to understand how root canal therapy works.

Gum tissue and bone hold the tooth in place, fitting snugly around the tooth’s roots and “neck.” The crown of the tooth is the part that is visible above the gum line.

The crown’s outer part is called the enamel. The enamel is the hard surface that comes in contact with food and other teeth. The next layer inward is known as dentin. Within that layer lies the pulp, which is the soft inner part of the tooth made up of blood vessels and nerve material.

The roots anchor the tooth in the bone. The nerve material occupies the tooth’s chamber and the inside of the roots and extends beyond the tips of the roots into the bone. This nerve material is what transfers sensory information from the tooth to the bone of the jaw.

During a root canal, the infected pulp and nerve material is removed from the inside of the tooth. The resulting cavity is meticulously cleaned and disinfected, and then the cavity is filled with a rubber like dental material. The tooth is then finished with a crown or other restoration method.

What happens during a root canal procedure?

Each of your teeth contains a soft inner part called the pulp. The pulp contains nerve tissue and blood vessels. Stimulation of the pulp is what causes you to feel sensation in the tooth such as pressure, heat and cold.

A root canal is the process of removing the infected pulp and affected nerve tissue from the inside of the tooth.

The process of having a root canal done on your tooth starts with a thorough examination by your dentist. Only a dentist or endodontist can determine the need for a root canal.

Before your procedure, Dr. Chalasani will numb the area around the affected tooth with a local anesthetic. When you are completely comfortable, the pulp material is removed from the tooth using the latest endodontic methods. The tooth will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and all traces of disease will be eradicated.

Your tooth’s cavity is then filled with a special rubber-like dental material, and the tooth is finished with a lifelike-looking crown. Your restored tooth will blend in perfectly with the rest of your natural teeth. The root canal procedure will also make your tooth strong and functional again. In many cases, root canal therapy can prevent the spread of infection and could even help prevent tooth loss.

Do I need a root canal?

A root canal may be necessary when the soft inner part of the tooth – called the pulp – becomes infected. Infection can occur for a number of reasons; including injury to the tooth or advanced decay, or another circumstance in which bacteria is able to access the pulp.

If your tooth is infected, you may be experiencing some common symptoms. Symptoms may include:

Pain upon putting biting pressure on the tooth
Discoloration of the tooth
A recurring pimple on the gum line
Throbbing pain

These symptoms may be indications that you need a root canal; however, in some cases of infection, there may be no obvious symptoms.

There may be signs that only an experienced dental professional like Dr. Chalasani can identify using x-rays or during your examination. Only your dentist can definitively say whether or not you need a root canal.

If it is determined that your tooth is infected, it is important that the infection is treated. Otherwise, you could develop a painful abscess.

An abscess occurs when pus collects at the root of the tooth, or in-between the tooth and gum. A root canal may allow you to save a natural tooth that would otherwise need extraction.

If you suspect that you may need a root canal, schedule an appointment with Dr. Chalasani today.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Suchi Chalasani DMD

Dr. Suchi Chalasani loves making her patients smile, and this is reflected in her tagline, “Smile with confidence.” She is committed to providing quality dental care to all patients and usually exceeds their expectations.

Dr. Chalasani completed her DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) program from the prestigious Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine in 2001. She is committed to lifelong learning and participates each year in a series of continuing education activities. This commitment to learning is shared by her staff as well. Together, they are continually educating themselves to ...

Featured Blog Posts - Root Canals

January 8, 2025

When Do You Need a Root Canal? Insights from Royal Oak Dentists

You need a root canal when bacteria enter the tooth, reach the canal, and cause infection. This can happen for the following reasons:

Tooth injury
Broke down enamel
Poor oral hygiene
Lack of dental care

In other words, when the tooth is compromised, it is at risk for infection.

Signs You Need Root Canal Treatment

If you ...

How Root Canals Can Save Your Tooth: Insights from a Royal Oak Dentist

A root canal infection means a painful inflammation deep in your tooth’s root. Without intervention from your Royal Oak dentist, this infection can cause loss of the tooth or infection spread.

About Root Canal Infections

Root canal infections typically include some or all of the following symptoms:

Toothache or growing sensitivity
Jaw or facial ...

Advanced Root Canal Treatment: Royal Oak’s Premier Practice

Root canals are a way to save an infected tooth from loss. The treatment also prevents infection spread.

An infected tooth canal can be very painful, but modern technology allows us to provide gentle and efficient root canal therapy.

Signs I Need a Root Canal

When bacteria or infection reach the center of ...