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Root Canal Therapy
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Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is a restorative dental procedure that relieves pain and gives an infected or abscessed tooth a second chance. Modern root canals are comfortable and efficient and really no different from any other dental procedure. 

Root Canal Therapy

Deep inside your tooth, underneath enamel and dentin, is an area called the pulp chamber. This part of the tooth contains tissue and nerves that keep the tooth healthy, but pulp can become infected if bacteria enter the area through a fracture, deep decay, or trauma. 

The most obvious sign of an infected tooth is a severe toothache, and the only solution to relieve the pain is to remove the infected pulp with root canal treatment. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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Root canals are not surgical procedures, and the recovery time is about the same as a tooth filling. Most people even say the procedure affects them less than a tooth filling! When you have a root canal, your endodontist specialist will clean and seal the tooth to remove any infection.

Root canal treatment takes about 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the severity of your infection and the accessibility of your tooth’s canals. You should be able to drive or return to work right after your appointment.

Your endodontist will give you specific instructions for allowing your tooth to heal, but here are some general guidelines:

  • Once the numbness wears off, you may feel some soreness or tenderness for a few days. Some people have a sore jaw after keeping it open for an extended period. Use over-the-counter pain reliever (like ibuprofen) to manage pain. If your endodontist prescribes a stronger medication, be sure to have someone drive you home or wait to take it until you’re home.
  • You can eat after the numbness wears off, avoiding sticky or crunchy foods. If you have a temporary dental crown, it’s especially important to be careful about hard foods.
  • Continue to brush and floss your teeth normally, though you may want to use care around the tender areas.
  • Return to your dentist for your permanent restoration, if instructed to do so.

When the interior of your tooth is infected, it can cause a lot of pain and is likely to damage the nerve. If left untreated, the infection could spread to other teeth. Root canal therapy removes the infection and relieves the pain, restoring the tooth and allowing us to save it.

No, root canal therapy does not generally hurt. In most cases, root canal therapy feels similar to getting a routine filling. Our team at Palatine Complete Dental uses a gentle approach to provide comfortable root canal therapy in Palatine, IL.

What Can You Expect During Root Canal Therapy?

Before treatment begins, your dentist numbs the area to help you stay comfortable. Next, we carefully remove the infected pulp, clean the inside of the tooth, and seal it with a crown to prevent future infection.

Most patients experience little to no discomfort during the procedure. Afterward, you may notice some mild tenderness or sensitivity for a few days, but this typically improves as your tooth heals.

How Can You Stay Comfortable After Treatment?

Following your dentist’s instructions can help support a smooth recovery. You can:

  • Take any recommended medications as directed.
  • Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it fully heals.
  • Continue brushing and flossing to maintain good oral hygiene.
  • Attend follow-up appointments as recommended.

Delaying treatment can allow an infection to worsen and may lead to more serious dental concerns. Root canal therapy helps remove infection, relieve discomfort, and preserve your natural tooth.

We Welcome Your Call 

Contact Palatine Complete Dental today! Our team is here to answer your questions and provide comfortable, personalized care.

Yes, absolutely! At Palatine Complete Dental, we’re always excited to welcome new patients to our practice. Whether you’re new to the area, looking for a fresh start with a new dental team, or just overdue for a checkup, we’re here to make the process easy and comfortable.

What to Expect at Palatine Complete Dental

As your trusted dentist in Palatine, IL, we believe everyone deserves access to high-quality, compassionate dental care. From your very first visit, you’ll notice that we focus on building real relationships with our patients. We take the time to listen to your concerns, understand your goals, and create a custom plan that fits your unique smile.

Getting Started Is Easy

Scheduling your first appointment is simple. Just give our friendly team a call or request a visit online. We’ll help you find a convenient time that fits your busy schedule. During your first visit, we’ll complete a comprehensive exam, take any necessary x-rays, and discuss any treatments or recommendations to keep your smile healthy.

Schedule Your Appointment Today!

At Palatine Complete Dental, we offer a full range of services, from preventive care to cosmetic and restorative treatments, all under one roof. If you’re searching for a dependable dentist in Palatine, IL, we’d love to meet you! Give us a call today at (847) 359-7520. 

What Happens During Root Canal Treatment?

Your comfort is our priority, so the first step is to administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth to ensure that you feel no pain during the procedure. Once the anesthetic takes hold, and we are sure the tooth is numb, our dentist creates an opening in the tooth to access the pulp area. We then carefully remove every trace of infected pulp, disinfect the area and fill the area to prevent reinfection.

We allow the tooth to heal for about two weeks, then have you return to our office so we can take an x-ray and ensure the infection is gone. The final step is to place a tooth filling or a dental crown on the tooth to strengthen and protect it so you can chew comfortably again. 

Do I Need a Root Canal?

If you have been experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, call our office immediately. You may have a tooth infection that requires immediate treatment.

  • Severe pain in one or more teeth
  • Pain when touching the tooth
  • Pain and sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
  • Darkening of one or more teeth
  • A raised bump on the gums
  • A bad taste in your mouth
  • Swelling and tenderness in the gums that may radiate to the cheek

Call our office to make an appointment to see if you need root canal therapy, so we can get you out of pain and save the tooth. 

  • Dr. Michael Subtelny DMD

    Dr. Michael Subtelny DMD

    Dr. Subtelny grew up in Naperville and graduated with Honors from The Ohio State University. He then received his dental degree from Midwestern University in 2018 where he was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. He completed a General Practice Residency at Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, gaining additional training in advanced dental procedures such as surgical extractions and implants. He is active in the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society and Chicago ...

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Blogs

A woman smiling after getting Root canal therapy in Palatine, IL
July 15, 2026

What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?

Hearing the words “root canal” may make some patients feel nervous, but modern dental care makes the process more comfortable and straightforward than many people expect. Root canal therapy helps relieve pain, remove infection, and save a natural tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted.

At Palatine Complete Dental, we use a gentle, patient-focused approach to make your root canal experience as smooth as possible. Our goal is to help you protect your smile while keeping you comfortable throughout treatment.

Why Do You Need Root Canal Therapy?

Each tooth contains ...
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Root Canal Therapy Technology

Rotary Endodontics

Rotary Endodontics

There’s no dental procedure that’s feared more than root canals. But using state-of-the-art technology, we provide root canals that are more efficient and more comfortable than you ever thought possible.

Patients fear root canals for several reasons, and rotary endodontics does away with many of them. In the past, the only way to remove infected material from a tooth was with manual steel files that took time and created unpleasant sensations for many patients.

Instead, rotary endodontics uses a flexible nickel-titanium tip that fits the contours of the inside of your tooth to speed the process and improve your comfort. If you have ever had a root canal, we think you will be amazed by the difference!

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