Emergency Root Canal in Redondo Beach
If a tooth is throbbing, swollen, or keeping you up at night, call (310) 926-6825. Our phone is answered 24/7. Those are common signs the nerve inside the tooth is inflamed or infected, which is what a root canal treats. We’ll tell you what to do right now and get you scheduled. How soon you’re seen depends on how severe it is.
Signs you may need an emergency root canal
According to the American Association of Endodontists, these symptoms can mean a tooth needs a root canal:
- Severe pain when you chew or bite
- A pimple-like bump on the gum near the tooth
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the food or drink is gone
- Swollen or tender gums
- Deep decay, or gums that look darker around the tooth
Only an exam and X-rays can confirm it. Some severe toothaches turn out to need a filling, and some need the tooth removed. If you’re not sure what’s going on, start with our guide to a severe toothache, or just call.
What to do before you're seen
- Rinse with warm water and floss gently around the tooth.
- Take a pain reliever you can buy without a prescription, following the label. Swallow it. Don’t hold aspirin against the gum.
These steps only take the edge off. An infected pulp doesn’t heal by itself, so the tooth still needs treatment.
When to go to the ER instead
Go to a hospital emergency room, or call 911, if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or a fever with swelling in your face and you can’t reach a dentist. Those can mean an infection is spreading.
An ER can treat the infection and the pain, but it can’t do a root canal. You’ll still need a dentist to treat the tooth itself, so call us once you’re stable.
Why a tooth needs a root canal
Under the enamel of every tooth is soft tissue called pulp, which holds the nerve and blood vessels. It can become inflamed or infected from:
- A deep cavity
- A crack or chip in the tooth
- Repeated dental work on the same tooth, or a faulty crown
- An injury, even one that left no visible crack
Left untreated, the infection can spread to the tissue around the root and form an abscess. It can also damage the bone that holds the tooth in your jaw, which puts the tooth at risk.
What happens during an emergency root canal
The first goal is to find the problem and get you out of pain. Our dentist starts with an exam and X-rays of the tooth and the bone around it. If a root canal is the right treatment:
- The area is numbed with local anesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel the procedure.
- A small opening is made in the top of the tooth.
- The inflamed or infected pulp is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected.
- The canals are filled and sealed to keep bacteria out.
- A temporary filling protects the tooth until it gets a permanent filling or crown.
A root canal usually takes one or two visits, depending on the tooth. Our dentist will tell you which to expect after the exam. If the infection has spread, you may also be prescribed antibiotics.
Recovery after a root canal
Most people go back to work or school the same day. Expect the area to stay numb for a few hours, so wait until the numbness wears off before eating. The tooth may feel sore or sensitive for a few days. Once the tooth has its permanent filling or crown, it works like your other teeth, and with good care it can last a lifetime.
Root canal or pull the tooth?
Pulling the tooth can look like the quicker, cheaper choice in the moment. The AAE points out that a missing tooth usually needs replacing with an implant or bridge, to restore chewing and keep the teeth next to it from shifting, and those generally cost more than a root canal and crown. Saving the natural tooth also keeps your normal bite and feel.
Sometimes a tooth can’t be saved, and then removing it is the right call. Our dentist will explain the options for your tooth before doing anything.
How much does an emergency root canal cost?
It depends on the tooth and how complex the treatment is. Back teeth (molars) have more canals and usually cost more to treat than front teeth. You’ll know the plan before treatment starts.
- Insurance: we accept PPO plans, including Aetna, Assurant, Cigna, Delta Dental, Guardian Direct, Humana and MetLife. Most dental plans cover part of a root canal.
- Payment: cash, check, credit and debit cards, plus financing through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub.
- No insurance: ask about our in-office dental plan.
Emergency root canal questions
Can a root canal be done as an emergency?
Yes. When a tooth is infected or the nerve is badly inflamed, treatment can start as an emergency to relieve the pain. Depending on the tooth, the root canal may be finished in that visit or need a second one. Call (310) 926-6825 and we'll get you scheduled.
Will the ER do an emergency root canal?
No. A hospital ER can treat a spreading infection and manage pain, but it doesn't do root canals. Go to the ER for trouble breathing or swallowing, or a fever with facial swelling. For the tooth itself, you need a dentist.
How urgent is it to get a root canal?
Don't put it off. An infected pulp doesn't heal by itself, and the infection can spread to the tissue and bone around the root. Severe pain, swelling, or a bump on the gum are reasons to call today.
How expensive is an emergency root canal?
It depends on which tooth and how complex the treatment is. Molars usually cost more than front teeth. We accept PPO insurance, offer financing, and have an in-office plan for patients without insurance. Ask about cost when you call.
Is it better to pull a tooth or get a root canal?
When the tooth can be saved, a root canal usually is. A pulled tooth generally needs an implant or bridge to replace it, and those tend to cost more than a root canal and crown. If the tooth can't be saved, removing it is the right choice. Our dentist will explain your options.
Can a tooth get infected under a crown?
Yes. Decay or a crack under a crown, or an older crown that no longer seals well, can let bacteria reach the pulp. Pain or swelling around a crowned tooth is worth having checked.
Does a root canal hurt?
The tooth is numbed with local anesthesia, so the procedure itself shouldn't be more painful than getting a filling. Afterward, the tooth may be sore or sensitive for a few days. Most people feel much better than they did before treatment.
Can I go to work after a root canal?
Most people can. Your mouth may stay numb for a few hours, so wait to eat until the numbness wears off.
Get help with a painful tooth now
Call (310) 926-6825. Our phone is answered 24/7, and we’ll tell you what to do right now and get you scheduled. You can also request an appointment online.
Our office is at 2511 Artesia Blvd A in Redondo Beach, close to Torrance, Hawthorne, Gardena and Manhattan Beach, with a parking lot on site.