Root canal treatment

How does root canal work?

A root canal is a specialized dental procedure performed to remove infected or damaged pulp from within a tooth, clean and disinfect the root canal, apply a temporary filling, and seal it to prevent further infection. It’s an essential treatment to save teeth and alleviate tooth pain caused by severe decay or injury.

Why is a root canal needed?

Your dentist will recommend a root canal for the following reasons:

To save a severely decayed, infected, or injured tooth that would otherwise require extraction.
To relieve pain caused by infection or abscesses and prevent it from spreading to nearby tissues.

What are the benefits of getting a root canal treatment?

A root canal has various benefits, including:

Preserving your natural tooth and therefore preventing the need for tooth extraction and replacement.
Relieving pain by removing infection and eliminating discomfort caused by inflamed nerves.
Restoring function by allowing you to chew, bite, and speak normally.
Improving oral health by stopping the infection from spreading to surrounding teeth, gums, and bone.
Saving you more costs. Treating the natural tooth is often more affordable than replacing it with an implant or bridge.

Signs you might need a root canal:

Look out for the following signs that could indicate your need for a root canal treatment, and schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible:

Persistent toothache, especially when chewing or applying pressure.
Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
Swelling, tenderness, or a pimple-like bump on the gums near the affected tooth.
Discoloration or darkening of the tooth.

How can you prevent the need for a root canal?

Root canals are often the result of untreated cavities or dental trauma. To prevent this:

Schedule regular checkups. Early detection of cavities prevents them from reaching the pulp.
Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush, floss, and use fluoride treatments to protect teeth.
Act on early symptoms. Sensitivity or minor pain should be addressed immediately before it progresses.

Root canals are the last line of defense for saving a damaged tooth – proactive care can help you avoid them altogether.

Pain-free and worry-free experience

Root canals have a reputation for being painful, but modern sedation techniques ensure a pain-free, comfortable procedure. At Captain Dental, we provide sedation options to ease anxiety and ensure a stress-free experience.

Why choose Captain Dental for root canal treatment

At Captain Dental, we provide pain-free, worry-free endodontics and root canal treatments with advanced techniques to ensure optimal results. Our experienced endodontists near you prioritize your comfort, offering high-quality care at transparent root canal prices.

Before your appointment

Open to learn more about what happens before your appointment.

Scheduling your root canal procedure is simple. With appointments conveniently available every weekday, Saturday, and select Sundays, find a time that suits you best. Same-day appointments for dental emergencies, online forms, and upfront insurance and payment information ensure your experience starts worry-free.

Insurance Support
Our insurance team works with dedication to gather comprehensive details about your coverage, ensuring you receive an accurate estimate before your visit. While insurance companies can sometimes present challenges, we go the extra mile to make the process smooth for every patient, every time.

For New Patients:
- All required forms can be completed online ahead of time, saving you from unnecessary paperwork on the day of your appointment.
For Existing Patients:
- Your estimate will already be prepared based on information from your previous visit.

Appointment day

Open to learn more about what happens on your appointment day.

Step into Captain Dental means you are welcomed by a modern, relaxing environment designed to prioritize your comfort. Your experience starts smoothly with waiting times kept under 5 minutes. While you wait, enjoy:

Complimentary snacks and beverages
High-speed Wi-Fi

Once your root canal treatment begins, our team will guide you through each step of the process. We use state-of-the-art dental technology, including digital X-rays that reduce radiation exposure by 80% compared to traditional methods, ensuring precision and comfort.

For added ease, we offer various sedation options, including laughing gas and IV sedation.At the end of your root canal visit, we’ll provide a detailed summary of the procedures performed and a clear plan for what’s next. Additionally, we offer flexible payment options to help you feel confident about your treatment choices.

Our team

Open to learn more about our team.

Your care and worry-free root canal experience are entrusted to a team of highly experienced dental professionals, each with 5 to 20 years of expertise and advanced education from leading universities. Every general dentist at Captain Dental undergoes an extensive selection process, including:

5 interview rounds assessing clinical knowledge, communication skills, hands-on performance with Typodont models, and behavioral attributes.
A working interview involving real patient interactions, with feedback collected from patients, dental assistants, and front desk staff.

Out of every 50 candidates interviewed, only one is selected to join our team, ensuring you receive the highest standard of care in a friendly and supportive environment.

After your appointment

Open to learn more about what happens after your appointment.

We are dedicated to ensuring your continued satisfaction and care beyond your visit. Here's what you can expect after your root canal treatment with your dentist at Captain Dental:

Follow-up care: After checking up on you, your dentist will follow up with personalized instructions via text to help you maintain your root canal results at home.
Immediate attention: If you notice any symptoms, we’ll arrange a same-day appointment with your local general dentist to address your concerns promptly.‍
Direct feedback: We value your input and invite you to share your experience directly with our clinic owner to help us continually improve our services.

Worry-free experiences

Message from the owners :)

Message from the Owners
For the whole team at Captain Dental, "worry-free" is more than just a promise — it’s the foundation of everything we do.

This philosophy reflects years of effort and a commitment to upholding the highest standards in dentistry. Every aspect of your visit, from the smallest detail to the most significant procedure, has been thoughtfully optimized to provide you with a seamless experience.

As the founders of Captain Dental, we take pride in the care we deliver and are grateful for a team that shares our passion for exceptional service. If you have any feedback or suggestions, we’re always here to listen.

Dr. Doris Yao & Marshall Xu
Owners & Founders of Captain Dental

What is a root canal procedure?

A root canal is a dental treatment designed to remove infected or damaged pulp inside a tooth, clean the root canal system, perform any necessary filling, and seal the space to prevent further infection. It helps save the tooth and restore its function.

What happens in a root canal treatment?

Here is what to expect to happen in a root canal treatment:

Diagnosis: An X-ray is taken to assess the infection and damage.
Numbing: Local anesthesia or sedation ensures a pain-free procedure.
Cleaning: The infected pulp is removed, and the root canals are disinfected.
Sealing: The tooth is filled and sealed to prevent future infections.‍
Restoration: A dental crown is placed to strengthen and protect the tooth.

What is a root canal procedure?

Modern root canal treatments are virtually pain-free, thanks to advanced techniques and sedation options. Local anesthesia ensures comfort during the procedure, and any post-treatment discomfort is mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.

How long does root canal treatment last?

With proper care, a root canal-treated tooth can last a lifetime. It is recommended to restore the tooth with a crown to protect it from further damage. Regular checkups help ensure its longevity.

How expensive is a root canal?

The cost of a root canal depends on the tooth location and severity of the damage:

Front teeth: Typically less expensive as they have fewer roots.
Molars: Higher cost due to the complexity of multiple root canals.

The average cost of a root canal ranges between $700 and $1,500 without insurance.Captain Dental accepts all major PPO insurances and offers zero-interest payment plans to make treatment affordable.

What are the side effects of root canal?

Mild side effects are temporary and include:

Slight discomfort or sensitivity for a few days.
Minor swelling in the treated area.
Rare risks include infection or fractured tooth, which can be avoided with proper care and follow-up.

What are the 3 stages of root canal treatment?

Here are the 3 stages of a root canal treatment:

Cleaning and removal: The infected pulp and damaged tissue are removed.
Shaping and disinfection: The root canals are cleaned, shaped, and sterilized.‍
Filling and sealing: The canals are sealed, and a crown is placed to restore tooth strength.

Do I need antibiotics after root canal?

Antibiotics are usually unnecessary unless there is a severe infection or swelling. Your dentist will prescribe antibiotics if needed to manage persistent infections.

What should I avoid after a root canal?

Here is what you should avoid after a root canal procedure:

Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until a crown is placed.
Skip hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that can damage the tooth.
Refrain from smoking or consuming hot beverages immediately after the procedure.

It is important to follow your dentist’s oral care instructions to ensure proper healing.

Where can I get a root canal with Captain Dental?

Captain Dental provides root canal treatment in all of our 3 locations. To book a root canal treatment in one of them, click one of the links below:

Root Canal Treatment in Santa Clara, CA

Root Canal Treatment in Redwood City, CA

Root Canal Treatment in San Jose, CA