Root Canals in San Rafael

A root canal is done with local anesthetic, so the tooth is numb the whole time and most people feel little more than they would for a deep filling. The procedure relieves the pain the infection was causing. The tooth may be tender for a few days afterward, which settles with over-the-counter pain relief. If anxiety is a concern, we offer a full comfort menu.

Cost depends on which tooth is involved and how many canals it has, and a back tooth usually needs a crown afterward. We give you a clear, itemized estimate before treatment begins. Members of our in-house "D is for Dental" plan receive 20% off restorative & major work, and flexible in-office payment plans are available. Call (415) 453-0744 for an evaluation.

Often, yes, especially for back teeth that do the heavy chewing. A treated tooth can become more brittle, and a crown protects it from cracking so it lasts. Front teeth do not always need one. Dr. Steve tells you what your specific tooth needs and why.

Keeping your natural tooth is usually the better choice. Your own tooth holds your bite and jawbone in place better than anything that replaces it, and pulling it leaves a gap that later needs an implant or bridge. Extraction is sometimes the right call, and Dr. Steve will give you an honest comparison rather than pushing one path.

Many root canals are finished in one or two visits, depending on the tooth and how much infection is present. Dr. Steve maps out the full plan at your first visit, including whether a crown will follow, so you know what to expect.

Pain that lingers after hot or cold, pain when you bite down, a tooth that has darkened, swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum, or an ache that wakes you at night. Some infected teeth cause no pain at all and show up only on an X-ray, which is one reason regular checkups matter. If any of these sound familiar, call D Street Dental Group at (415) 453-0744. Dr. Steve Truman, DDS, can test the tooth and tell you whether it needs a root canal or something simpler.

Wait until the numbness wears off, then eat soft foods on the other side of your mouth for the first day. Skip anything hard, crunchy, or sticky on the treated tooth until the permanent crown or filling is in place, because a tooth with a temporary is easier to crack. Mild tenderness when chewing for a few days is normal. Dr. Steve Truman, DDS, at D Street Dental Group gives you written instructions before you leave and tells you when the tooth is ready for normal use.

Often in part. Many PPO plans pay a percentage of a root canal, and the crown that usually follows is billed as a separate major service, with both counting against the plan's annual maximum. D Street Dental Group is out of network with all dental PPOs, and we bill your plan directly so any benefit you have gets used. Dr. Steve Truman, DDS, gives you a written estimate that covers both the root canal and the crown. Members of the D is for Dental plan receive 20% off restorative & major work.

The infection does not clear on its own. It spreads from the nerve into the bone around the root, can form an abscess, and can eventually cost you the tooth. Sometimes the pain fades because the nerve has died, which feels like improvement but means the infection is still there. Treating it early is simpler, cheaper, and far more likely to save the tooth. If you have been putting it off, call D Street Dental Group at (415) 453-0744 and Dr. Steve Truman, DDS, will take a look.