Modern root canal
therapy.

FAQ

Root Canal Therapy — questions answered.

• Does a root canal hurt?

  No, not the way most people imagine. The tooth is fully numb during the procedure — it's comparable to having a filling done. The pain people associate with "needing a root canal" is actually the pain of the infected tooth before treatment, which goes away after. Some mild soreness for 1–3 days afterward is normal and managed with over-the-counter ibuprofen.

• How much does a root canal cost in Pueblo West?

  Every case is different — we’ll give you a written estimate at your consultation, and we’re happy to check your insurance benefits. Root canal cost depends on the tooth (front teeth, premolars, and molars differ) and on the crown that usually follows. Most PPO insurance plans cover endodontic treatment at 50–80%.

• How long does a root canal last?

  A root canal followed by a crown typically lasts a lifetime when the tooth and surrounding gum tissue are healthy. Long-term success rates are 90–95%. Cracking the tooth, gum disease, or skipping the crown after the procedure are the main reasons root-canaled teeth fail.

• Why do I need a crown after a root canal?

  A root-canaled tooth is hollowed out and dehydrated, making it significantly more brittle and prone to fracture under chewing forces. A crown wraps the tooth and protects it. Studies show that root-canaled teeth without crowns are about 3 times more likely to fracture and need extraction.

• How long is the recovery after a root canal?

  Most patients return to normal activities the same or next day. Mild tenderness when biting on the tooth is common for 2–5 days and is managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Significant pain, swelling, or fever after the first day is unusual and warrants a call to the office.

• Is a root canal better than just pulling the tooth?

  Almost always, yes. Saving your natural tooth preserves your bite, prevents the surrounding teeth from shifting, and keeps your jawbone stimulated. The only good reasons to extract instead of root canal are if the tooth is cracked below the gum line, has too little structure remaining, or has severe gum disease.

• Can a root canal fail later?

  Rarely (5–10% of cases). Reasons for late failure include a missed canal, recurrent decay around the crown, or a crack that develops over time. Failed root canals can sometimes be retreated, sometimes require apicoectomy (root tip surgery), or occasionally are extracted and replaced with an implant.

• Do you see patients from Pueblo for root canals?

  Yes. Our Pueblo West office is about 20 minutes from downtown Pueblo. Most root canals are completed in a single appointment, and the crown that usually follows is often a same-day CEREC crown, finished in one visit. If the tooth is hurting now, call (719) 647-9433 — we hold same-day emergency appointments Monday through Friday.

• Will I need antibiotics?

  Usually no. The root canal itself removes the infection by physically cleaning out the bacteria. Antibiotics are prescribed only when there is significant facial swelling, fever, or evidence the infection has spread beyond the tooth. Routine root canals don't require them.