Few dental procedures are as misunderstood as the root canal. For generations, the phrase has been used as shorthand for pain, when in reality a modern root canal is a comfortable, routine treatment that relieves pain and saves your natural tooth. At Infinite Dental Wellness in Glendale, Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan perform gentle root canal therapy that lets patients keep teeth that might otherwise be lost. This page separates fact from fiction, explains why and when a root canal is needed, and walks you through what the experience is really like so you can make decisions about your care from a place of knowledge rather than fear.
Why You Might Need a Root Canal
Inside every tooth, beneath the hard outer enamel and dentin, is a soft core called the pulp. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels, and when it becomes infected or badly inflamed, the result is often severe pain, sensitivity, and the risk of the infection spreading. This can happen because of deep decay, a crack or fracture, repeated dental work on the same tooth, or trauma. A root canal removes the damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it so the infection cannot return. The tooth stays in place, and after it is restored with a crown, you can use it normally for years to come.
Common signs that you may need a root canal include a persistent toothache, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when biting or chewing, swelling or tenderness in the nearby gums, or darkening of a tooth. Sometimes there are few symptoms at all, and the problem is found during a routine exam or X-ray. If you are experiencing any of these signs, an evaluation lets us confirm the diagnosis and treat it promptly, ideally before the pain becomes severe.
The Truth Behind Common Root Canal Myths
Most of the dread surrounding root canals comes from outdated information. Let us address the five most common myths directly, because understanding the reality makes the decision to save your tooth much easier.
Myth #1: Root Canals Are Painful
This is the biggest misconception of all. The truth is that a root canal relieves pain rather than causing it. The pain people associate with the procedure is actually the pain of the infected tooth that brings them in for treatment in the first place. During a modern root canal, the area is thoroughly numbed, and most patients report that the procedure feels no different from getting a routine filling. At Infinite Dental Wellness, we prioritize your comfort throughout, and many patients are surprised by how easy the experience is. When it is over, the throbbing infection pain is gone, and you finally get relief.
Myth #2: I Will Be Unable to Eat Hard Foods After a Root Canal
Some people worry that a treated tooth will be fragile and that they will have to permanently avoid their favorite foods. In reality, once your tooth has fully healed and been restored, typically with a crown, it functions just like your other teeth. The crown protects and strengthens the tooth, allowing you to bite and chew normally. We may ask you to be gentle with the tooth for a short time immediately after treatment and before the permanent restoration is placed, but that is a brief, temporary precaution, not a lifelong limitation.
Myth #3: Root Canals Require the Dentist to Remove the Entire Tooth
A root canal is actually the opposite of removing your tooth. The entire purpose of the procedure is to save your natural tooth. We remove only the infected pulp from inside the tooth while preserving the outer structure that you bite and chew with. Keeping your natural tooth is almost always preferable to losing it, because it maintains your natural bite, keeps neighboring teeth from shifting, and avoids the need for more extensive replacement work down the road. A root canal lets you keep what nature gave you.
Myth #4: Root Canals Cause Illness in the Patient
This myth traces back to discredited research from nearly a century ago that has been thoroughly debunked by modern science. There is no valid evidence that a properly performed root canal causes illness elsewhere in the body. On the contrary, a root canal removes an active infection from your mouth, which is good for your overall health. Leaving an infected tooth untreated is the real risk, because the infection can spread and lead to abscesses and other complications. A root canal is a safe, beneficial procedure that resolves a genuine health problem.
Myth #5: Root Canals Take Multiple Appointments
Many people assume a root canal means several long visits. In fact, many root canals are completed in a single appointment. Some more complex cases may require a second visit, often to place the permanent crown that restores the tooth, but the core treatment is frequently done in one sitting. Advances in technique and technology, including the gentle laser-assisted approaches we offer, have made the process more efficient and comfortable than ever.
What the Root Canal Process Is Like
Knowing what to expect removes much of the anxiety. Here is how a typical root canal unfolds at our Glendale office.
- We examine the tooth and take an X-ray to assess the infection and the shape of the tooth's interior
- We thoroughly numb the area so you are comfortable throughout
- We create a small opening to access the pulp chamber
- We carefully remove the infected pulp and clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth
- We fill and seal the cleaned space to prevent reinfection
- We place a temporary or permanent restoration, with a crown often added to fully protect the tooth
Throughout the visit we check in with you about your comfort. Because the tooth is numb, you should feel pressure at most, not pain. When the appointment is finished, the source of your discomfort has been removed and your tooth has been preserved.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery from a root canal is usually quick and uncomplicated. It is normal to feel some mild tenderness for a few days as the area heals, and this is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and by chewing on the opposite side until your permanent restoration is in place. Continue to brush and floss normally, keeping the treated tooth clean. Most patients return to their regular routine the same day or the next. If you notice increasing pain, swelling, or anything unusual, give us a call so we can check on you.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
The advantages of timely root canal treatment are significant. You eliminate a painful infection, you keep your natural tooth and your natural bite, and you prevent the infection from spreading to surrounding tissue or other teeth. Saving the tooth also helps keep neighboring teeth properly aligned and supports normal chewing and speaking. In short, a root canal protects both your comfort and the long-term health and function of your mouth.
- Relieves the pain of an infected tooth
- Saves your natural tooth instead of removing it
- Stops the infection from spreading
- Restores full chewing function once a crown is placed
- Helps keep neighboring teeth from shifting
Cost, Insurance, and Same-Day Care in Glendale
A root canal that saves your tooth is often more cost-effective in the long run than removing the tooth and replacing it later. We provide clear, upfront cost estimates and will discuss your options before treatment begins. Infinite Dental Wellness accepts all PPO dental insurance plans, which typically help cover the cost of root canal therapy; please note that we do not accept Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal. Because tooth infections can be urgent and painful, we also offer same-day emergency appointments. If you are in significant pain, do not wait, call us right away.
Why Choose Infinite Dental Wellness for Root Canal Care
When you need a root canal, you want a team that is both skilled and gentle. Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan are a USC-trained husband-and-wife team who have built their Glendale practice on comfortable, conservative care. We are proud of our 4.9-star rating with more than 300 Google reviews, our mercury-free philosophy, and our commitment to treating patients of all ages with kindness and patience. We use modern, gentle techniques to make even root canals a manageable, even relaxing, experience.
Do not let fear or outdated myths keep you from relieving your pain and saving your tooth. If you are experiencing a toothache, sensitivity, or swelling, call Infinite Dental Wellness today at (818) 541-1110 to schedule your appointment in Glendale. The truth behind root canals is simple: they end pain and protect your smile.
What Happens If You Delay a Root Canal?
Ignoring a tooth that needs a root canal does not make the problem go away; it allows the infection to progress. As the infection in the pulp grows, it can spread beyond the tooth into the surrounding bone and tissue, forming a painful abscess. The pain often intensifies and can become constant, and swelling may develop in the face or jaw. At that stage, what could have been resolved with a straightforward root canal may require more involved treatment, and the tooth itself may no longer be savable. In serious cases, an untreated dental infection can affect your general health, which is why prompt care is so important.
The encouraging takeaway is that addressing the problem early keeps treatment simpler, more comfortable, and more likely to save your natural tooth. If you notice the warning signs, reaching out sooner rather than later is always to your advantage.
Caring for Your Tooth After a Root Canal
A tooth that has had a root canal can last a lifetime with proper care, and protecting it is simple. Once your permanent crown is placed, treat the tooth like any other: brush twice a day, floss daily, and keep up with your regular checkups and cleanings. The crown shields the treated tooth from the forces of biting and chewing, which is why we so often recommend it after a root canal, especially on back teeth that do the heavy work of grinding food.
Maintaining good oral hygiene also protects your other teeth from the decay that can lead to future root canals. Limiting sugary snacks, addressing teeth grinding if it affects you, and seeing us at the first sign of sensitivity all help keep your whole smile healthy. With these habits, your restored tooth blends seamlessly into your bite and your daily life.
Gentle, Modern Root Canal Technology
Part of why root canals are so much more comfortable today is the technology behind them. Digital imaging lets us see the inside of your tooth in detail and plan treatment precisely, while gentle, modern instruments and laser-assisted cleaning allow us to remove infection thoroughly and efficiently. This precision means less time in the chair and a tooth that is cleaned and sealed completely, reducing the chance of reinfection. At Infinite Dental Wellness, our investment in comfortable, up-to-date care is one of the reasons patients who once dreaded the words root canal leave relieved and reassured.