South San Francisco

Root Canal

Medically reviewed by Dr. Irena Vaksman, DDS · Last reviewed June 16, 2026

Key Takeaways

A root canal removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, then cleans, fills, and seals it so you can keep your natural tooth.
Common signs you may need one include lingering tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers, swelling, or a darkening tooth.
Modern root canals are typically done with local anesthesia and often feel similar to having a filling placed.
Saving a natural tooth is usually preferable to removing it, and a treated tooth often needs a crown afterward for protection.
Our dentists at Vaksman Dental Group in South San Francisco offer gentle, comfortable root canal care for patients across the Peninsula.

A root canal is a dental treatment that removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, then cleans, fills, and seals it to stop pain and save the tooth. At Vaksman Dental Group in South San Francisco, our dentists perform gentle, comfortable root canals, and most patients are surprised by how routine the visit feels.

What Is a Root Canal?

Inside every tooth is a soft center called the pulp, which holds nerves and blood vessels. When a deep cavity, a crack, or repeated dental work lets bacteria reach the pulp, it can become infected or inflamed. A root canal (also called endodontic treatment) carefully removes that damaged tissue, disinfects the inside of the tooth, and fills the space so the tooth can stay in place.

The goal is to relieve pain and keep your own tooth rather than removing it. According to the American Association of Endodontists, root canal treatment is a common and well-established way to save a natural tooth that might otherwise be lost.

Signs You May Need a Root Canal

Only an exam and X-rays can confirm whether you need treatment, but these symptoms are worth a call to your dentist:

Tooth pain that lingers or wakes you at night
Sensitivity to hot or cold that stays after the food or drink is gone
Pain when biting or chewing on a specific tooth
Swelling or tenderness in the nearby gums
A tooth that looks darker than the ones around it
A small, pimple-like bump on the gum that comes and goes

Sometimes a tooth needs a root canal with no symptoms at all, which is one reason regular checkups matter. You can learn more about the signs of pulp damage from MouthHealthy, the ADA’s patient resource.

What to Expect During Treatment

A root canal is typically completed in one or two visits, depending on the tooth. Here is the general flow our dentists follow:

Numbing: The area is fully numbed with local anesthesia so you stay comfortable.
Access: A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to reach the pulp.
Cleaning: The infected or inflamed tissue is removed, and the inner canals are cleaned and shaped.
Sealing: The space is filled with a biocompatible material and sealed.
Restoration: A temporary or permanent filling is placed, and most back teeth later receive a crown for strength.

Because we use digital imaging and FDA-cleared Pearl AI to help review X-rays, our team can study the tooth carefully and plan each step. When a crown is needed, our CEREC technology can often create a same-visit crown so you avoid extra appointments.

Who a Root Canal Can Help

A root canal may be the right choice when a tooth is infected or badly inflamed but still has enough healthy structure to save. It can help people who want to keep their natural smile, avoid the gap left by an extraction, and chew normally again. If a tooth is too damaged to save, our dentists will talk through other options with you honestly.

Benefits of Saving Your Tooth

Relief from the pain and pressure of an infection
Keeping your natural tooth and bite alignment
Often more cost-effective over time than removing and replacing a tooth
Normal chewing and a natural-looking result, especially when finished with a crown

Keeping a natural tooth helps protect the surrounding bone and neighboring teeth, which is why our team treats saving a tooth as the first option whenever it is realistic.

Cost of a Root Canal

Cost depends on which tooth is treated and whether a crown is needed afterward. As a general national reference (these are general figures, not our office’s prices), a root canal often ranges from about $700 to $1,500 for a front tooth and roughly $1,000 to $1,800 for a molar, with crowns billed separately. Dental insurance frequently covers part of the treatment. Our front-desk team is happy to review your specific estimate and coverage before you decide.

Recovery and Aftercare

Many people return to normal activities the next day. Mild tenderness for a few days is common and can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers as directed. To help healing:

Avoid chewing hard foods on the treated tooth until any permanent crown is placed
Keep up gentle brushing and flossing around the area
Call us if pain, swelling, or pressure increases instead of easing

With good care and a proper restoration, a treated tooth can often last for many years.

If your tooth pain turns severe or you notice facial swelling, don’t wait — our emergency dental care is here when you need it. A root canal may also be part of a larger plan; if a tooth can’t be saved, we’ll discuss dental crowns and other restorative choices, and severely damaged teeth are sometimes addressed through tooth extraction followed by replacement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does a root canal hurt?

Modern root canals are typically done with local anesthesia, so the procedure itself often feels similar to having a filling placed. Most discomfort comes from the infection before treatment, and a root canal is designed to relieve that pain. Some tenderness for a few days afterward is normal and usually eases with over-the-counter pain relievers.

How long does a root canal take?

Most root canals are completed in one or two visits, often lasting about 60 to 90 minutes each, depending on the tooth and how many canals it has. Front teeth tend to be quicker, while molars can take a little longer because they have more canals to clean and seal.

Do I need a crown after a root canal?

Often, yes — especially for back teeth that handle heavy chewing. After treatment a tooth can become more brittle, so a crown helps protect it and restore full function. Our dentists will let you know whether your specific tooth needs a crown or whether a filling is enough.

Can I drive home after a root canal?

Yes. A standard root canal uses local anesthesia, which numbs the area without making you drowsy, so most patients drive themselves home and return to their day. If you choose sedation for added comfort, you’ll want someone to drive you, and our team will go over that with you in advance.

Written by the Vaksman Dental Group team and medically reviewed by Dr. Irena Vaksman, DDS — South San Francisco.

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What is a root canal?

A root canal is a procedure that treats infection or damage deep inside a tooth by removing the soft inner tissue called the pulp, disinfecting the canals, and sealing the space to prevent further infection. It saves a tooth that would otherwise need to be removed, relieving pain and restoring normal chewing.

Inside every tooth is a chamber of nerves and blood vessels. When decay, a crack, or trauma lets bacteria reach this pulp, it becomes infected—causing pain and, if untreated, an abscess. A root canal clears the infection while keeping your natural tooth in place.

How do I know if I need a root canal?

Only an exam can confirm it, but these signs often point to a tooth that may need root canal treatment:

Lingering tooth pain, especially when chewing or applying pressure.
Sensitivity to hot or cold that lasts after the source is gone.
Swollen, tender gums near a specific tooth.
A darkening or discolored tooth.
A pimple-like bump on the gums that may drain.
A deep cavity or cracked tooth.

Some infected teeth cause little pain at first, which is why regular checkups matter. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact our South San Francisco office promptly.

Is a root canal painful?

One of the most common myths is that root canals are painful. In reality, modern root canal treatment is designed to relieve pain, not cause it. With effective local anesthesia, most patients say the procedure feels similar to having a routine filling.

The American Dental Association notes that root canal treatment is a routine way to save a natural tooth. Our dentists take extra time to keep you comfortable, numbing the area thoroughly and checking in with you throughout. Any mild soreness afterward usually fades within a few days.

What happens during a root canal procedure?

Our team walks you through each step so you always know what to expect:

Exam and X-ray: we confirm the diagnosis and map the tooth’s canals.
Numbing: we fully numb the area for a comfortable, pain-free experience.
Access: we make a small opening to reach the infected pulp.
Cleaning: we remove the infected tissue and disinfect the canals.
Filling: we fill and seal the canals with a biocompatible material.
Restoration: we place a temporary or permanent filling, and usually recommend a crown to protect the tooth long-term.

Root canal vs. tooth extraction: which is better?

When a tooth is badly infected, you generally have two choices—save it with a root canal or remove it. Saving the natural tooth is almost always preferred:

Consideration	Root Canal	Tooth Extraction
Keeps natural tooth	Yes	No
Chewing function	Fully restored	Requires implant or bridge to replace
Effect on neighboring teeth	Preserves alignment	Teeth may shift over time
Number of visits	Usually 1–2	Removal plus replacement steps
Long-term cost	Often lower (no replacement)	Replacement adds cost

Our dentists recommend extraction only when a tooth truly can’t be saved.

What is recovery like after a root canal?

Recovery is typically quick and easy. Most patients return to normal activities the next day. To support healing:

Take it easy on the treated tooth until any final restoration is placed.
Manage mild soreness with over-the-counter pain relievers as directed.
Keep up gentle brushing and flossing around the area.
Avoid very hard or sticky foods for a few days.
Return for your crown if recommended, to fully protect the tooth.

Call us if you have increasing pain or swelling, as these can signal a need for follow-up.

Why choose Vaksman Dental Group for your root canal?

A comfortable root canal comes down to skill, patience, and gentle technique:

Gentle, comfort-focused care with thorough numbing and a calm pace.
A tooth-saving philosophy—we work to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible.
Complete follow-up restoration, including crowns, all under one roof.
Convenient South San Francisco location on Mission Road near the South San Francisco BART station and El Camino Real.
Welcoming care for patients from San Bruno, Daly City, Brisbane, Colma, Pacifica, and San Francisco.

Root Canal FAQ

Root canal cost depends on which tooth is treated—front teeth have fewer canals than molars—and whether a crown is needed afterward. The complexity of the infection also matters. We'll explain your options and costs clearly before any treatment begins.

Many dental insurance plans cover a significant portion of root canal treatment because it's a tooth-saving procedure, though coverage varies. Our team will verify your benefits and help you maximize your coverage.

Yes. Vaksman Dental Group provides root canal treatment on Mission Road in South San Francisco, convenient to San Bruno, Daly City, Brisbane, Colma, and Pacifica. Call us to schedule an evaluation.

Most root canals are completed in one or two visits, typically lasting about 60 to 90 minutes each. The exact time depends on the tooth and the number of canals involved.

Often, yes—especially for back teeth that handle heavy chewing. A root canal can leave a tooth more brittle, and a crown restores its strength and protects it for the long term. Our dentists will advise what's best for your tooth.

An untreated infected tooth can lead to worsening pain, an abscess, bone loss, and the spread of infection. Eventually the tooth may be lost. A timely root canal prevents these complications and saves the tooth.

Root canals have a high success rate, and treated teeth can last many years or even a lifetime with good care. In rare cases a tooth may need retreatment, which our team can discuss with you.

Yes, root canals are performed under local anesthesia, so you're awake but the area is fully numb and comfortable. Let us know if you feel anxious and we'll discuss options to help you relax.

Brush and floss normally, avoid chewing hard foods on the treated tooth until it's fully restored, and keep your follow-up appointment for a crown if recommended. Routine checkups help your restored tooth last.

Yes. Root canal treatment is a safe, well-established procedure performed millions of times each year to relieve pain and save natural teeth. Our dentists follow careful sterilization and treatment standards for your safety.

Yes. Because root canals use local anesthesia rather than sedation, most patients drive themselves home and return to normal activities the same or next day.

Cost & Financing

The cost of Root Canal varies with each patient’s needs and treatment plan. We keep care affordable with flexible financing, accept most dental insurance, and offer an in-house membership plan. Contact us for a personalized estimate.

Visit Vaksman Dental Group in South San Francisco

Vaksman Dental Group
1241 Mission Road
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Phone: (650) 588-3710
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Conveniently located near El Camino Real and the South San Francisco BART station, serving San Bruno, Daly City, Brisbane, Colma, Pacifica, Millbrae, and Burlingame.

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San Bruno Daly City Pacifica Brisbane Colma Millbrae Burlingame

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