Root Canal Therapy in Chicago
Root canal treatment ends the pain of an infected tooth. It doesn't cause it.
Appointments available Monday–Thursday, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM. Select Friday and Saturday times available by call or text.
Root Canal Therapy Relieves the Infection Causing Your Pain
Crowe Dental Associates has provided root canal therapy to patients across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs since 1984. Root canal therapy is a procedure that removes infected or damaged pulp tissue from inside a tooth, eliminates the source of infection, and allows the natural tooth to be saved rather than extracted. Every part of the process is focused on what you get: a tooth that works, stays in your mouth, and stops hurting.
The symptoms that may indicate you need root canal therapy include severe or throbbing tooth pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, darkening of the tooth, swelling or tenderness in the gum, or a persistent pimple on the gum near the affected tooth. If you're experiencing any of these, know this: modern root canal treatment is performed under local anesthesia, and most patients report it's no more uncomfortable than a routine filling. The infection is the source of the pain. The treatment ends it.
What Happens During a Root Canal at Crowe Dental Associates
The process is straightforward and typically takes one appointment of 60 to 90 minutes, though some cases require a second visit. Your comfort is the priority at every step.
Numbing the Area So You Feel Nothing Before We Begin
We apply local anesthesia to the affected tooth and surrounding tissue before anything else. You'll feel the initial injection, and then the area goes numb. We don't move forward until you're comfortable and the numbing has fully taken effect.
Accessing the Tooth to Reach the Infected Tissue
Once you're numb, we make a small opening in the top of the tooth. You'll feel some pressure and vibration during this step, but no pain. This opening is what allows us to reach the pulp chamber and canals where the infection has taken hold.
Cleaning and Shaping the Canal to Remove the Source of Infection
We carefully remove the infected pulp tissue from each canal inside the tooth using small, precise instruments. As the infected tissue comes out, the source of your pain is eliminated. The canals are then gently shaped and rinsed to remove all traces of bacteria.
Sealing the Tooth to Prevent Re-Infection
After the canals are clean and dry, we fill and seal them with a biocompatible material. This closes the interior of the tooth so bacteria can't re-enter. A temporary or permanent filling is placed on top to protect the access opening.
Placing a Crown to Restore Full Strength and Function
Most teeth that have had root canal therapy need a crown to restore their full strength. We'll discuss crown placement with you at the time of treatment or at your follow-up visit. Once the crown is in place, the tooth functions normally and should last for many years with routine care.
Most patients are genuinely surprised by how manageable the procedure is, and we encourage you to bring any questions when you come in.
We Address Dental Anxiety Before Any Treatment Begins
Many patients feel nervous about root canal treatment, and that's completely understandable. Before any procedure begins, we take time to answer your questions, explain what you'll feel at each step, and make sure the affected area is thoroughly numb. We don't rush. If you need a moment, you take it. You're encouraged to ask questions at any point during treatment, and we'll check in with you throughout to make sure you're comfortable.
Leaving an infected tooth untreated isn't a neutral choice. Without treatment, the infection spreads to surrounding bone and tissue, the tooth gradually becomes unrestorable, and extraction becomes the only remaining option. At that point, you're looking at an implant or bridge to replace the tooth, which involves more appointments, more cost, and more complexity than treating the original tooth now. Addressing the infection early is the lower-cost, lower-risk path and the one that keeps your natural tooth in place.
Root Canal Questions, Answered Honestly
Here are straight answers to the questions most patients ask before booking a root canal appointment.
Is root canal treatment actually painful, or is that a myth?
The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia, and most patients feel pressure but no pain during treatment. The pain people associate with root canals comes from the infection, not the procedure that treats it. Mild discomfort after the appointment is normal and typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relief for a day or two.
How long does a root canal appointment take at Crowe Dental Associates?
Most root canal procedures are completed in a single appointment of 60 to 90 minutes. Some cases involving multiple canals or more complex anatomy may require a second visit. We'll let you know the expected timeline before treatment begins so you can plan your day accordingly.
What happens if I leave an infected tooth untreated?
A dental infection does not resolve on its own. It spreads to surrounding bone and tissue, can become a serious health risk, and will eventually make the tooth unrestorable. At that point, extraction becomes necessary, followed by an implant or bridge to replace the tooth, at significantly greater cost and complexity than treating it early.
Can I drive myself home after a root canal?
Root canal therapy uses local anesthesia only, so no sedation is required for standard cases, and most patients can drive themselves to and from the appointment. We recommend eating beforehand, and plan for some residual numbness in the treated area for a few hours after you leave.
Does Crowe Dental Associates treat root canals in-house or refer out?
Root canal therapy is performed in-house at our Michigan Avenue office, so you won't need a specialist referral or a separate appointment elsewhere. We're located at 30 N. Michigan Ave Suite #1405, Chicago, IL 60602, and available Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with select Friday and Saturday times by call or text.
Tooth Pain Won't Resolve on Its Own — We're Here Monday Through Thursday
Every day of delay with an infected tooth raises the risk of the infection spreading and the tooth becoming unrestorable. We're accepting new patients and can see you Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with select Friday and Saturday appointments available by call or text.
Crowe Dental Associates is located at 30 N. Michigan Ave Suite #1405, Chicago, IL 60602.
