Root Canal Treatment | Dentist in Chicago, IL

Safe & Painless Root Canal Therapy

Tooth infections are painful and can lead to further complications down the road if left untreated. When the inside of your tooth becomes inflamed or infected, a root canal treatment may be the only way to preserve it and avoid having to undergo a tooth extraction.

At Contos Smile Center in Chicago, root canal treatments are performed with your individual needs and comfort in mind. Our Chicago dentist, Dr. Contos, will ensure that your root canal treatment is as painless and stress-free as possible.

Root canal therapy has earned an unfair reputation among patients for being a complex, painful procedure, but this isn’t true. As long as you’re in good hands with our dental professionals, your root canal treatment will be simple and fairly straightforward. We proudly provide patients in Evanston, Skokie, Arlington Heights, and other Cook County areas with the utmost high-quality dental care.

What is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is a general dentistry procedure in which our Chicago, IL dentist removes and cleans the infected materials inside the tooth’s pulp. This usually occurs when an untreated cavity has managed to reach the inside of your tooth’s root. By removing the pulp, Dr. Contos stops the infection at its source.

Dentists everywhere use root canal therapy to save their patients’ teeth from extraction. Root canal treatments are virtually painless, and can help prevent a host of oral health complications. In fact, most patients who have undergone the procedure often compare it to getting a filling.

Signs You May Need a Root Canal Treatment

Seeking immediate treatment for your tooth infection is crucial in avoiding further oral health complications. Common signs that you may need to undergo root canal therapy include:

A pimple (fistula) on the gums
Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
Pain while biting or chewing
Persistent toothaches
Inflamed or swollen gums
Tooth discoloration

Many patients avoid root canal treatments for fear of potential pain, but an untreated tooth will cause further discomfort if not treated. If you suspect your tooth is infected, don’t delay in receiving the dental care you need. Contact our Chicago office to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists right away.

Root Canal Treatment Process

A root canal treatment can typically be completed in one appointment to our Chicago dentist, though this depends on several factors, such as your oral health and how many teeth are infected.

To begin the procedure, your dentist will prescribe oral antibiotics that you will take several days before your root canal. This will reduce swelling and stop the infection from spreading before your root canal treatment.

Our dentist will then take a digital X-ray of the tooth to develop a more precise treatment plan. Finally, to ensure you don’t feel any pain, he’ll administer a local anesthetic to the surrounding area and stabilize the tooth with a rubber dam.

Using a small dental drill, your dentist will access and remove debris and the infected dental pulp. Once the infection has been removed, the interior area will be cleaned and sealed with either a resin material or a special bio-compatible material known as gutta-percha. This flexible composite will protect the tooth from further unhealthy bacteria.

Finally, Dr. Contos will place a dental crown or filling to create an air-tight seal that protects the tooth from further exposure. In some cases, Dr. Contos may place a temporary filling to give the tooth additional time to heal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does root canal treatment hurt?

A common misconception about root canal therapy is that it’s a painful, complicated process, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Dr. Contos will administer a local anesthetic beforehand to ensure you don’t feel a thing while he works on your tooth. It’s normal to experience mild soreness for about one week after your procedure, though any discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications and cold compresses.

If any pain or discomfort persists past one week, it may be a sign of reinfection. Contact our Chicago office right away at (773) 973-0531 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Contos will assess your situation and work to resolve any uncomfortable symptoms.

How long does a root canal treatment take?

The length of your root canal treatment depends on your individual needs and oral health. Root canal therapy can typically be completed in one appointment at our Chicago office. Each tooth takes around 60 minutes to treat. Dr. Contos can provide you with a treatment timeline at your initial consultation after having evaluated the condition of your tooth.

How long does it take to recover from a root canal treatment?

You may be able to return to your normal routine immediately after a root canal treatment, though it depends on your oral health and other factors. It’s important to follow all of Dr. Contos’s instructions after a root canal treatment. Some post-op instructions for root canal therapy include:

Avoid chewing on your new crown for at least 24 hours
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush on the treatment site
Maintain good oral hygiene
Eat soft or liquid-based foods for a few days
Take pain medications as prescribed

Don’t Put Off the Dental Care You Need

If you suspect that your tooth is infected, don’t wait to seek dental treatment. The longer an infection is left untreated, the more painful its symptoms will become. In one short visit, our Chicago dentist can treat your infection with a painless root canal treatment.

Our top priorities are your health and safety, so you can rest assured knowing you’re in good hands at Contos Smile Center. To schedule an appointment, contact our office at (773) 973-0531 or fill out our convenient online contact form below.