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.
A root canal performed with the right tools and enough time has a high success rate — rushed cases are where problems happen. 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. Comfort checks happen throughout, not just at the very start.
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.
Here's what's typically involved once imaging confirms treatment is needed.
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.
For teeth with significant structure loss, a post-and-core buildup provides a foundation for the final crown. This step is planned before crown placement, not decided last minute.
A crown protects a root-canal-treated tooth from fracture, since it's more brittle without its nerve supply. Material options are discussed based on which tooth and how much force it takes when chewing.
Retreatment involves reopening the tooth, cleaning it again, and resealing — more involved than the original procedure. We explain honestly whether your specific tooth is still a good save candidate.
Call +1-866-227-2801 and describe the pain — lingering sensitivity, swelling, or throbbing all point us toward the right exam.
Digital X-rays and sensitivity testing confirm whether the nerve is involved and treatment is needed.
The canal is cleaned, shaped, and filled under local anesthesia, typically in one to two visits.
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."
"Crown discussion happened at the first visit, not as a surprise bill after the root canal was already done."
"They checked my numbness twice before starting. Appreciated that they didn't rush it."
"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. We won't recommend the more involved procedure unless testing actually confirms it's needed.
We check numbness thoroughly before starting, so pain during the procedure is rare. Post-procedure soreness is normal for a few days and manageable with standard pain relief.
We tell you which applies to your case after imaging, not as a generic estimate. 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. Skipping a needed crown risks the tooth fracturing later, which we explain clearly.
Delaying rarely makes the problem go away — it typically makes treatment more complicated later. We'd rather treat it now while the tooth is still savable.
We break out the root canal and crown costs separately so you understand the full picture. We verify insurance benefits before treatment so you know your out-of-pocket cost.
Our team serves Benton and the surrounding zip codes with digital imaging on-site at every location. Whether it's your first root canal or a retreatment case, our Benton team handles both in-house.
Licensed, imaging-equipped, and local to Benton — call and get a real diagnosis.
Call +1-866-227-2801