We use advanced technology and a gentle touch to get you out of pain fast.

Cross-section illustration of a molar showing enamel, dentin, pulp, roots, and surrounding jawbone.

Root Canal Treatment

Digital dental scanner displaying a 3D model of a patient’s teeth. Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that’s needed to remove infected or inflamed pulp from deep inside a tooth. An infection in this area can occur due to advanced decay, a crack, or trauma to the tooth.

What Are Symptoms of an Infected Tooth?

An excruciating toothache is one of the most common symptoms of a root canal infection and what drives many patients to schedule an appointment for emergency treatment. Other serious, but less obvious symptoms include:

Gum swelling around the affected tooth
A pimple-like, whitish bump on the gums
A foul smell or taste in the mouth
Tooth darkening or discoloration
Extreme sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the stimulus is removed
Sharp pain when biting down or touching the tooth

It's important to know that a root infection can develop without symptoms, which is why routine dental checkups are so crucial.

Why You Shouldn't Postpone Root Canal Treatment

If you notice any of the symptoms of a root canal infection, it’s crucial to call for an appointment as soon as possible. Modern treatment is more efficient and comfortable than ever, and prompt treatment delivers many benefits:

Relieves the Pain

A root infection won’t heal itself. Even if the pain subsides briefly, it will return, continuing to damage the tooth and leading to worsening pain.

Prevents Tooth Loss

The only alternative to root canal treatment is tooth extraction, which leads to the need for tooth replacement and more complex treatment.

Stops Infection Spread

A pulp infection only stays localized for so long until it begins to travel to other parts of the body, potentially leading to life-threatening situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

A root canal saves the tooth but leaves it weaker. Removing the pulp cuts off its internal blood supply, so the tooth becomes more brittle over time. A filling seals the opening but doesn't reinforce the tooth. Back teeth take heavy chewing force, so without a crown they're more likely to crack. Front teeth with little damage may only need a filling. Dr. Hudzinski will recommend what's best.

A root canal removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth's nerve chamber and root canals, then seals the cleaned space to prevent reinfection. It's needed when decay, a crack, or trauma reaches the tooth's inner nerve tissue, since that tissue can't heal on its own and the infection will otherwise spread into the surrounding bone.

A root canal is recommended whenever enough healthy tooth structure remains to support a long-term restoration after infected tissue is removed. Extraction becomes the better option when a tooth is fractured below the gumline, lacks bone support due to advanced gum disease, or the canal system is too complex to predictably clean and seal.

After numbing the area, we create a small access opening in the top of the tooth, remove the infected pulp tissue from the nerve chamber and canals, clean and shape the canals, then fill and seal them with a biocompatible material. A filling closes the access opening, and a crown is usually placed afterward to protect the tooth.

Most patients feel back to normal within a few days to a week, though the tooth can remain mildly tender to biting pressure for a couple of weeks as the surrounding ligament settles. The permanent restoration, whether a filling or a crown, is typically completed within two to three weeks of the procedure.

What Does Root Canal Treatment Involve?

Dentist examining a smiling patient during a root canal consultation.

At Hudzinski Dental, we understand that many people get nervous about root canal treatment, but our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way.

Examination: Advanced imaging technology allows our dentist to detect the location and extent of infection we can plan treatment accordingly.
Local Anesthesia: We thoroughly numb the tooth using powerful anesthetics to ensure that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure.
Removing Infected Pulp: Our rotary endodontic technology replaces the need for manual files, making the process of removing the infected tissue more efficient and significantly more comfortable.
Disinfecting the Canals: Once we’ve removed the infected pulp, we thoroughly disinfect the canals to remove all traces of bacteria.
Filling and Sealing the Tooth: We fill the hollowed-out canals with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha to help prevent reinfection. We then seal the tooth and place a temporary filling.
Final Restoration: In about two weeks, you will return to have the final filling or dental crown placed on the tooth.

Our Team

Meet More of Our Team

Dr. Matthew Hudzinski DMD

Dr. Matthew Hudzinski joined Dr. Fryer as an associate in 2024 and became the practice owner in 2025, continuing the patient-centered culture of excellence Dr. Fryer established.

Dr. Hudzinski earned a Bachelor of Science in …

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Dr. Kevin Fryer

Dr. Kevin Fryer's connection to Hudzinski Dental runs deep; he founded the practice in 1992 and spent more than three decades building it into the patient-centered home it is today. Though he transitioned ownership to …

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Does Root Canal Treatment Hurt?

Thanks to precise planning using advanced technology, root canal treatment is not painful. The reason people associate the procedure with discomfort is likely the pain of the infection they feel beforehand. When we remove the infected tooth pulp, we also eliminate the source of your pain.

After your procedure, you can expect to feel some lingering soreness for a day or two, but over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen are typically all that’s needed for relief.

Do You Think You Need an Emergency Root Canal?

If you experience any of the symptoms described above, we want to help you get the important treatment you need. Please call Dr. Matthew Hudzinski's dental office in Mayfield Heights at (440) 585-4200 to speak to one of our trained team members. They will take your information, guide you on the next steps, and help you book an emergency appointment to get you out of pain and on the road to feeling better.