Modern root canal therapy is a comfortable, precise procedure that saves your natural tooth — and relieves pain far more effectively than extraction. Our University at Buffalo–trained doctors have performed hundreds of successful root canal treatments.
Saving Your Natural Tooth
The phrase "root canal" carries an undeserved reputation. In reality, modern root canal therapy — performed by our skilled, University at Buffalo–trained doctors — is no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed. The procedure relieves pain rather than causing it.
Root canal therapy becomes necessary when the pulp — the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels — becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures, a crack, or trauma. Left untreated, infection can spread to surrounding bone and tissue, potentially requiring tooth extraction.
Root canal therapy removes the infected pulp, thoroughly cleans and shapes the canal system, and seals the tooth — preserving it for years or decades to come. Saving your natural tooth is almost always preferable to extraction and replacement.
Both Dr. Pete and Dr. Alex earned their degrees from one of the nation's top-ranked dental schools — a foundation of clinical excellence that sets them apart from day one.
Both doctors hold LVI certification — the world's most respected postgraduate program in cosmetic & neuromuscular dentistry. Fewer than 1% of dentists reach this level.
The Procedure
Modern root canal therapy is a precise, comfortable procedure completed in one to two appointments under local anesthesia.
Digital X-rays confirm the diagnosis. Local anesthesia is administered — numbing the area completely before any treatment begins. Sedation is available for anxious patients.
A small opening is made in the crown of the tooth. Using precise instruments, the infected or inflamed pulp tissue is carefully removed from the canal system.
The canals are meticulously cleaned, shaped, and disinfected using a combination of hand and rotary instruments and antimicrobial irrigants — eliminating all bacterial contamination.
The canals are filled and sealed with biocompatible material. A crown is typically recommended to protect and restore the treated tooth to full strength and function.
FAQ
This is the most common misconception in dentistry. With modern anesthesia and technique, root canal therapy is typically no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed. Most patients are surprised by how comfortable the procedure is — and relieved that the pre-treatment pain is gone immediately.
Most root canals are completed in one appointment of 60–90 minutes. Complex cases or multi-rooted teeth may require a second visit. We will give you an accurate timeline estimate following your examination.
Some mild soreness for a few days is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. We strongly recommend placing a crown on the treated tooth to protect it from fracture — a tooth that has had root canal therapy is more brittle and vulnerable without a crown.
In nearly all cases, saving the natural tooth is preferable. Extraction leads to bone loss, shifting of adjacent teeth, and typically requires an implant or bridge — which is more expensive and invasive than root canal therapy. We always recommend the most conservative treatment that preserves your natural tooth.
With a proper crown restoration and good oral hygiene, a root canal treated tooth can last a lifetime. Studies consistently show high long-term success rates for properly performed and restored root canal therapy.
Most patients do not require sedation for root canal therapy — local anesthesia is highly effective. However, for patients with significant dental anxiety, our conscious oral sedation option is available and makes the entire experience completely comfortable and virtually without memory.
If you're experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity, contact us today. Early treatment is always better — and we'll make the experience far more comfortable than you expect.