Root Canal therapyDentist Silverlake LA
Save your tooth. Relieve the pain.
Root canal treatment has a reputation that’s far worse than the reality. The procedure itself doesn’t cause pain — it relieves it. Most patients are surprised to find that a root canal feels no different from getting a filling, and that they leave the appointment finally free of the tooth pain that brought them in.
At Silverlake Dental Group, root canal treatment is performed by our on-site board-certified endodontist Dr. Joseph Kim who completed advanced specialty training specifically in root canal treatment and endodontic microsurgery. You don’t need a referral to a separate specialist office. You get specialist-level endodontic care right here, coordinated seamlessly with the rest of your dental treatment.
What is Root Canal Therapy (RCT)?
Every tooth has a soft inner core called the pulp — a chamber containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that runs from the crown of the tooth down through the roots. When a tooth is healthy, the pulp is protected by layers of hard enamel and dentin. But when decay goes deep enough, or a tooth cracks, or repeated dental procedures compromise the tooth over time, bacteria can reach and infect the pulp.
Once the pulp is infected or inflamed, it cannot heal on its own. The infection spreads, causing significant pain, abscess formation, and eventually the death of the tooth. Left untreated, the infection can spread beyond the tooth into the surrounding bone and tissue — becoming a serious health issue.
A root canal removes the infected or inflamed pulp, thoroughly cleans and disinfects the root canals inside the tooth, and seals everything off to prevent reinfection. The tooth is then restored — typically with a crown — and continues to function normally for years or decades.
Root canal treatment saves teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted. It is almost always preferable to losing the tooth entirely.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy
Not every root canal presents with dramatic pain — some infected teeth cause very little discomfort until the infection becomes serious. Watch for any of the following:
- Severe, persistent toothache — especially throbbing or spontaneous pain with no obvious trigger
- Prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold that lingers after the stimulus is removed
- Pain when biting or chewing on a specific tooth
- A visible pimple, bump, or abscess on the gum near the tooth
- Darkening or discoloration of a tooth compared to its neighbors
- Swelling of the gum, jaw, or face near a tooth
- A tooth that previously had a large filling or multiple dental procedures
- A cracked or chipped tooth — even without pain, a crack can allow bacteria to reach the pulp
If any of these sound familiar, call us. The sooner an infected tooth is treated, the simpler — and less expensive — the treatment.
Our Silver Lake office is easily accessible from Los Feliz, Echo Park, Atwater Village, Glassell Park, Highland Park, and Glendale — so specialist endodontic care is never far away.
Meet your Root Canal Specialist (Endodontist)
Dr. Joseph Kim, DDS — Endodontics Specialist
Dr. Kim completed his endodontic specialty training at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry — one of the top endodontic programs in the country — and his DDS at UCLA School of Dentistry. He is a board member of the American Endodontics Association and an active member of the American Association of Endodontics (AAE) and the American Dental Association.
What to Expect During Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is typically completed in one appointment.
Step 1 — Examination & Diagnosis We begin with a thorough clinical exam and digital X-rays — and in many cases 3D CBCT imaging — to evaluate the extent of infection, the anatomy of the root canals, and the condition of the surrounding bone. You’ll receive a clear explanation of what we find and what treatment involves before anything begins.
Step 2 — Anesthesia Local anesthetic is administered to completely numb the tooth and surrounding tissue. The goal is that you feel nothing beyond mild pressure throughout the entire procedure. If you have significant dental anxiety, sedation options are available — just let us know when you call.
Step 3 — Removing the Infected Pulp A small opening is made through the crown of the tooth to access the pulp chamber. Using precision endodontic instruments and — in Dr. Nicole’s cases — a dental microscope, the infected or inflamed pulp tissue is carefully removed from the chamber and each root canal.
Step 4 — Cleaning & Shaping The root canals are meticulously cleaned, shaped, and disinfected using specialized instruments and irrigating solutions that eliminate bacteria and debris from even the smallest canal spaces. This is the most critical step — thorough cleaning is what prevents reinfection.
Step 5 — Sealing Once the canals are clean and dry, they are filled and sealed with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha, which fills the canal space completely and prevents bacteria from re-entering.
Step 6 — Restoration A root canal treated tooth is structurally compromised and needs to be protected. In most cases, a crown is recommended and placed by Dr. Barkhordar to restore the tooth’s strength, function, and appearance. If you’re interested, ask about our in-office CEREC same-day crown — your tooth can be restored in a single visit without a temporary crown or a return appointment.
When is Root Canal Re-Treatment Needed?
Occasionally a tooth that has had a root canal in the past fails to heal properly, or becomes reinfected over time. This can happen when canals were missed during the original treatment, when the seal breaks down, or when new decay allows bacteria to re-enter the tooth.
Endodontic retreatment involves removing the existing filling material, re-cleaning and reshaping the canals, and resealing the tooth. Dr. Nicole’s use of a dental microscope is particularly valuable in retreatment cases — it allows her to identify previously missed canals, find cracks, and remove old material with a level of precision that is simply not possible without magnification.
Endodontic Microsurgery (Apicoectomy)
In some cases — when conventional root canal treatment or retreatment cannot fully resolve the infection — endodontic microsurgery may be needed. The most common procedure is an apicoectomy, in which the very tip of the tooth root is surgically removed along with any infected tissue, and the end of the root is sealed from below.
This is a minor surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia, often completed in under an hour. It is typically reserved for cases where the infection has spread to the bone around the root tip, or when the anatomy of the root makes conventional cleaning insufficient.
Dr. Kim specializes in endodontic microsurgery and performs these procedures with dental microscope magnification for maximum precision and minimal tissue disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do root canals hurt? No — not with modern anesthesia and technique. The tooth is completely numbed before treatment begins. Most patients report that the procedure is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. What a root canal does is relieve the pain that brought you in — most patients feel significantly better within a day or two of treatment.
How long does a root canal take? Most root canals are completed in 60–90 minutes. More complex teeth with multiple canals or significant infection may require a second appointment. We’ll give you a realistic timeline at your consultation.
Do I need a crown after a root canal? In most cases, yes. A tooth that has had a root canal is more brittle and vulnerable to fracture. A crown protects the tooth and restores its full strength and function. Ask about our same-day CEREC crowns — we can often complete the crown at the same visit or the very next appointment.
What if I just take antibiotics instead? Antibiotics can temporarily reduce the symptoms of a dental infection, but they cannot eliminate the source — the infected pulp inside the tooth. The infection will return, often worse, and delay only increases the complexity of treatment. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed alongside root canal treatment but are not a substitute for it.
Is it better to just pull the tooth? In almost every case, saving a natural tooth with a root canal is preferable to extraction. Natural teeth are always better than replacements — they preserve bone, maintain neighboring tooth position, and function better than any prosthetic. Extraction followed by an implant is also significantly more expensive than a root canal and crown. We always aim to save the tooth when possible.
What is an endodontist, and why does it matter? An endodontist is a dental specialist who completed two to three additional years of advanced residency training focused entirely on root canal treatment and diseases of the dental pulp. They perform root canals every day, often handle the most complex cases, and typically use advanced technology like dental microscopes and 3D imaging that general dentists may not have. Having board-certified endodontists on staff at Silverlake Dental Group means you get specialist-level care without leaving our office.
How long will a root canal treated tooth last? With a proper crown and good oral hygiene, a root canal treated tooth can last for decades — often a lifetime. The key is protecting it with a crown promptly after treatment and maintaining regular cleanings and checkups.
Tooth pain shouldn’t wait. Call Silverlake Dental Group at (323) 922-6016 for a same-day evaluation. Dr. Joshua Barkhordar and Dr. Joseph Kim are here to help.
From a family of dentists with quality care
We would be happy to work with you!