Root Canals

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Do you think you or a loved one need a root canal?

You may need a root canal if you experience one or more of these symptoms:

  • Severe tooth pain when chewing or applying pressure
  • Prolonged sensitivity or pain when exposed to hot or cold temperatures (after the hot or cold has been removed)
  • Discoloration or darkening of the tooth
  • Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums
  • Persistent or recurring pimple on the gums

If you think you need a root canal, we know what you're going through and don't need to go through it alone! At First Choice Dental, we are experts at providing gentle, comfortable endodontic care. 

The difference an endodontic specialist can make

Endodontists:

  • Receive 2+ years of specialized training specifically for root canal treatments in addition to dental school
  • Often have more advanced equipment at their fingertips, which results in typically shorter or fewer appointments
  • Are experts in pain management, which is helpful since many root canal diagnoses begin with patients experiencing pain
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Real patients. Real reviews.

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What you need to know about Root Canals:

A root canal either repairs or saves a badly decayed or infected tooth. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.

You’re not alone. No one wants a root canal. Our endodontic patients, however, are usually surprised by how uneventful a root canal at First Choice Dental really is. And as any good endodontist will attest, not getting a root canal when you need one can be harmful to your health, and may cause additional problems that will eventually need to be addressed. In other words, the longer you wait, the more your oral health can deteriorate. 


Without a root canal, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form.

An abscess occurs when the infection spreads all the way past the ends of the roots of the tooth. In addition to an abscess, an infection in the root of a tooth can also cause swelling, bone loss, and drainage problems.

The only alternative to a root canal is having the tooth extracted and replaced with a bridge, implant, or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These alternatives are more expensive than a root canal and require more treatment time.

Get a regular dental checkup every six months if you’re healthy, and more often if your gum health requires it. In between checkups, brush and floss regularly to avoid plaque build-up. In addition, if you or a loved one is involved in athletics, you can reduce sports-related injury by wearing any dentist-approved mouth guard.

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Schedule an Appointment

Think you need a root canal? We offer this service at multiple locations. Call us to learn more.

Madison Downtown

621 S Park St.
Madison, WI 53715
Get Directions >

Phone: 608.251.3535

Waunakee

1141 Simon Crestway
Waunakee, WI 53597
Get Directions >

Phone: 608.849.5600

Ortho Phone: 608.848.0820

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