Persistent throbbing or sensitivity to hot and cold that lingers often means the nerve inside the tooth is infected or inflamed. Smile Center Dentistry uses digital X-rays and, when needed, an apex locator to treat the canal precisely.
We use imaging to confirm the diagnosis before recommending treatment, not just responding to reported pain. We'd rather take an extra ten minutes with the apex locator than leave canal length to a guess.
An apex locator helps measure canal length precisely during treatment, reducing guesswork. We'd rather over-image than under-treat a tooth that could still be saved.
Modern anesthesia techniques keep the procedure comfortable — most patients report less discomfort than expected. If you're still feeling anything, we pause and address it before continuing.
Severe pain gets triaged quickly — we don't make patients wait weeks for a diagnosed infection. We know how miserable this pain can be, which is why we don't make you wait unnecessarily.
Post-treatment protection is part of the plan from day one, so the tooth stays saved long-term. We schedule the crown appointment before you even leave your root canal visit.
Every root canal case is a little different depending on which tooth and how advanced the infection is.
Digital X-rays and cold/heat sensitivity testing confirm whether the nerve is infected or just inflamed. This step alone often explains pain patients couldn't previously identify.
An apex locator helps confirm exact canal length, reducing the chance of under- or over-treatment. This is the core of the procedure and where precision matters most.
A properly sealed canal is what keeps bacteria from returning to the treated tooth. We confirm the seal with a follow-up X-ray before moving to restoration.
Not every root canal needs this step — we explain when your specific tooth requires it. This step is planned before crown placement, not decided last minute.
We schedule crown placement as part of your treatment plan from the start, not as a separate afterthought. Material options are discussed based on which tooth and how much force it takes when chewing.
If a previously treated tooth becomes reinfected, we assess whether retreatment or extraction is the better path. We explain honestly whether your specific tooth is still a good save candidate.
We triage by phone to determine how quickly you need to be seen.
You'll see your own X-ray and understand exactly what's happening before we recommend anything.
We check comfort throughout the procedure rather than assuming the anesthesia is holding.
We schedule the follow-up before you leave, so nothing falls through the cracks.
"Put off calling for weeks because I dreaded a root canal. It was genuinely nothing like what I feared."
"Got in the same week I called with severe pain. Anesthesia worked well and I felt nothing during the procedure."
"Two visits total — cleaning and shaping first, crown fitted a couple weeks later. Tooth feels completely normal now."
"Pain was gone within a day of treatment. Wish I hadn't waited so long to call."
"Pulp testing before treatment confirmed exactly what was going on. No guessing involved."
Lingering pain to hot or cold, especially if it wakes you at night, often points to nerve involvement that a filling can't fix. A filling addresses surface decay; a root canal addresses infection reaching the nerve — imaging tells us which applies.
Modern anesthesia and technique make it far more comfortable than its reputation suggests — most patients report mild discomfort at most. Post-procedure soreness is normal for a few days and manageable with standard pain relief.
Most cases are completed in one to two visits, depending on the tooth and infection severity. We schedule the crown visit separately once the canal treatment itself is complete.
Often yes, since the tooth becomes more brittle without its nerve supply — we discuss this at your first visit. We plan crown placement into your treatment timeline from day one.
The infection can spread, cause worsening pain and swelling, and eventually require extraction instead of a save. An untreated infection can also spread beyond the tooth itself in more serious cases.
Cost depends on which tooth and whether a crown is needed — we give a specific quote after diagnosis, not a vague range. We verify insurance benefits before treatment so you know your out-of-pocket cost.
Our team serves Bryant and the surrounding zip codes with digital imaging on-site at every location. We coordinate with local oral surgeons for retreatment cases that need it, so you're not searching for a referral yourself.
We'll confirm what's actually happening before recommending treatment.
Call +1-866-227-2801