Root Canal Therapy

What is a root canal?

A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges.

At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums.

If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment. We use local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. In addition, we will provide nitrous oxide analgesia, if indicated. You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine.

An example of a healthy tooth
Healthy Tooth
A tooth anatomy diagram highlighting pulp dentin and canal
Tooth Anatomy
A visual of tooth inflammation showing tooth decay and a inflamed pulp
Inflammation
A representation of a tooth with its canals cleaned
Cleaned Canals
An illustration of root canal filling of a tooth
Filling Placed
An example of a tooth healed by root canal therapy
Healed Tooth

What happens after treatment?

When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to respond. To prevent further decay, continue to practice good dental hygiene.

How much will it cost?

The cost associated with this procedure can vary depending on factors such as the severity of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth.

 
 

Karras Endodontics

5 out of 5 stars based on 13 Root Canal Therapy reviews.

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Amazing service! everyone is great and very polite. The DR is amazing this is the first time in my life going to dentist and have no pain.

- Nada J

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Dr. Karras and his staff were professional comforting and took the time to explain what the procedure would be. He listened to my concerns and thoughts and addressed each of them. His sense of humor, at least with me, also made me feel at ease. The procedure was completed in less thime that i thought it would be and had no side effects. The office staff treated me with upmost respect and I would, and have returned to him a second time. I have also referred others to his practice

- howard J

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Dr. Karras is so gentle that I did not feel anything from the beginning of the treatment until the end.

- Maria M

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

All my life, I have heard terrible things about root canal procedures, and the opinions were unanimous. So when I was finally told I would need one, I was terrified, and therefore reluctant, to make the appointment. However, anyone who has needed a root canal knows the urgency of needing to be seen same-day. Dr. Karras' office was able to fit me in the schedule immediately. This was important because I was going to be leaving town the next day. In my case, Dr. Karras was able to perform a version of the procedure that was essentially an outpatient visit, and in less than one hour, it was over! If anyone is similarly terrified of their first root canal, in Dr. Karras' hands, they need not be. First of all, the staff is so generous with their laughs that the feel-good vibe of the office made me forget I was even there for the procedure! The intake paperwork was surprisingly short, and even the digital X-ray technology they use is super-efficient. Essentially, after exchanging initial pleasantries with Dr. Karras, we were underway within minutes. In fact, the entire procedure took less than the hour I was told it would take (if the procedure really TOOK an hour, it felt like only 20 minutes passed!), and was waaay less intense than I expected. Despite being instructed to raise my hand if the pain was unbearable, I never had to -- there were only 2-3 instances where the nerve pain made me grunt at all. In other words, the shooting pain that requires a root canal in the first place is about as bad as it gets, and the procedure itself never EXCEEDS the discomfort you've been feeling up until then (it's kind of "more of the same", and then suddenly, you're done). That in and of itself was reassuring, but to discover that the experience is not anywhere near as intense as other people made it seem provides incalculable relief. Coming from someone who went in preferring to pull the damn tooth instead, this is a major compliment! You will notice that Dr. Karras has extremely quick hands, and flies through the procedure like the seasoned pro he obviously is. There was absolutely no point during my visit when I needed to question his technical skills, as he makes everything look easy. After that, you notice Dr. Karras' incredibly friendly bedside manner. He has a strong Chicago accent and a lightning-quick wit, which makes for a very fun encounter. Charisma is impossible to fake: with Dr. Karras, you realize that you're meeting someone at the top of his game, and you can feel with utter confidence that this is a man who has mastered both the technical skills required of his profession and the warmth needed to put people at ease, like a grandfather playing Santa Claus. He is so comfortable with himself that you become immediately comfortable yourself, for what that's worth. He's super cool. Ultimately, you can tell that Dr. Karras isn't doing this for the money, because he's already made plenty of money (root canals aren't cheap, but they're cheaper than implants!). His personality is clearly such that money is not the true measure of a man, but rather how he treats others. In this regard, he is a giant among men. I cannot recommend Dr. Karras enough. If you need an emergency root canal, or any other endodontic procedure, I can say without any hesistation: GO SEE HIM!!!

- Peter K

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

My dentist called the office to see if they could see me that day for a root canal, They got me in with in an hour. Dr.Karras and his staff were all very kind and put me at ease right from the start. I never felt anything even the shot was painless. I highly recommend Dr. Karras and his office. If I ever need another root canal I know where to go.

- Sally O

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Louis Karras is very expert in doing the procedure , most people said that root cana is a painful procedure ' BUT THEY WERE WRONG WITH LOUIS IS WAS A PAINLESS PROCEDURE , QUICK AND PAINLESS . I WILL RECOMMEND HIM TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES . SUPER , EXCELLENT , FANTASTIC ..KUDUS TO YOU AND YOUR MAGIC TOUCH

- LYDIA B

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Dr Karras is fantastic! I was referred to him by my dentist for a difficult root canal and he took care of it without any pain or discomfort. Two thumbs up! I HIGHLY recommend him for any endodontic work.

- Charlie P

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Dr. Karras made my first root canal one of the most relaxed and comfortable procedures I’ve had done! His personality was warm, reassuring and professional!! I recommend anyone who has to have extensive work done, to pay him a visit! He’s all that and a bag of chips!!!

- La Shone S

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Professional and great service by Dr. Karras and his stuff ! Thank you!

- Magda P

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Dr. Karras is the best dentist I have ever seen. He is calm, efficient, caring about my comfort, and most of all, expert at what he does. He caused me the least pain in giving me a shot of any dentist I have visited - I barely felt anything. And his staff are competent, very friendly, and extremely helpful. Thank you so much for taking such good care of me! Absolutely first-rate.

- Marilyn F

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Nothing but great things to say. The staff and doctors are so friendly and professional. Made my first root canal experience that much more enjoyable.

- Nora W

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Dr. Karras, you and your staff are amazing in terms of accommodating me into your schedule. I feel that you are so willing to work with your patients and consider their circumstances. I cannot thank you enough. You are truly remarkable!

- Wendy H

5 out of 5 stars on

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Considering the circumstances of being in pain and needing a root canal, my visit to Dr. Karras' more than exceeded my expectations. He was very thorough in his examination, presented his recommendation along with my options, and discussed my cost.... All PRIOR to just doing a root canal. My regular dentist received a report from his office along with xrays. Insurance processing was painless on my end. Bottom line.... From making the appt to the finish, his office operated with kindness and efficiency. Very organized! Thank you Dr. Karras and staff

- Christina M

5 out of 5 stars on