Root Canal Therapy in Rancho Mirage, CA
Treatment designed to remove inflamed or infected tissue, relieve symptoms, and preserve a natural tooth whenever it can be restored predictably.
Dr. Rod Strober evaluates the tooth, surrounding bone, symptoms, previous dental work, and restorative outlook before recommending root canal therapy or another appropriate treatment.
Treating the inside of the tooth to help save the tooth itself.
Beneath a tooth’s enamel and dentin is soft tissue called the dental pulp. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Deep decay, cracks, trauma, repeated dental procedures, or a failing restoration can cause this tissue to become inflamed or infected.
During root canal therapy, the affected pulp is removed. The canals inside the roots are then cleaned, shaped, disinfected, filled, and sealed.
The treated tooth generally requires a permanent filling, crown, or another restoration to protect it and return it to normal function.
A tooth may need treatment even when the symptoms are not severe.
Pain is common, but some teeth become less painful as the pulp loses vitality. Diagnosis requires an examination and appropriate dental imaging.
Pain when biting or chewing
A tooth may feel sore, elevated, or painful when pressure is placed on it.
Lingering sensitivity
Sensitivity to hot or cold that continues after the stimulus is removed may indicate inflammation inside the tooth.
Swelling or a gum pimple
A small bump on the gum may represent a drainage pathway from an infection near the root.
Tooth discoloration
A tooth may darken after trauma, internal bleeding, or loss of pulp vitality.
A cracked or chipped tooth
A crack or fracture may allow bacteria to reach the pulp or cause inflammation even without obvious decay.
Bad taste, drainage, or fever
Drainage, persistent unpleasant taste, fever, malaise, or facial swelling should be evaluated promptly.
Do not wait if swelling is spreading or affecting your airway.
Contact a dentist promptly for facial swelling, fever, drainage, or worsening pain. Call 911 or seek emergency medical care for difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading swelling, confusion, or another potentially life-threatening symptom.
Dental pain may change, but the underlying condition may remain.
Untreated inflammation or infection may lead to an abscess, damage to supporting bone, increased swelling, or loss of the tooth.
Symptoms can occasionally decrease when the pulp becomes nonvital or when an abscess begins to drain. That change does not necessarily mean the tooth has healed.
Early assessment may provide more options for preserving the tooth and may help prevent a localized problem from becoming more extensive.
Call About a Painful ToothAntibiotics are not a substitute for treating the source.
Many conditions involving inflamed or infected dental pulp require definitive dental care, such as root canal treatment, drainage, or extraction, rather than antibiotics alone.
Antibiotics may be appropriate when infection has systemic involvement, such as fever or malaise, when swelling is spreading, or when other clinical factors increase risk.
Dr. Strober will determine whether medication is appropriate based on your examination, health history, symptoms, and diagnosis.
A careful process for cleaning, sealing, and protecting the tooth.
Treatment may be completed in one or more visits depending on the tooth, anatomy, infection, symptoms, and restorative needs.
Request an AppointmentDiagnose the condition
Dr. Strober reviews your symptoms, tests the tooth when appropriate, examines the surrounding tissues, and evaluates dental images.
Numb the treatment area
Local anesthetic is administered to help keep the tooth and surrounding area comfortable during treatment.
Reach the pulp chamber
A controlled opening is created in the tooth so the inflamed or infected pulp and root canal spaces can be accessed.
Shape and disinfect the canals
Specialized instruments and irrigating solutions are used to remove affected tissue, clean the canals, and prepare the spaces for sealing.
Fill the root canal spaces
The prepared canals are filled and sealed with a biocompatible material to reduce the opportunity for future contamination.
Protect the treated tooth
A permanent filling, crown, or another restoration is placed or planned to protect the remaining tooth structure and restore function.
Root canal therapy is commonly performed to relieve tooth pain.
Modern anesthetic techniques are used to numb the treatment area. Pressure or movement may still be noticeable, but the objective is to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
Tell our team about dental anxiety, previous difficulty becoming numb, medication use, allergies, medical conditions, or concerns before treatment begins.
Sedation may be considered for qualifying patients when clinically appropriate and arranged in advance.
Learn About Sedation DentistryThe best option depends on whether the tooth can be restored.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy may be recommended when the internal tissue is inflamed or infected but the tooth has adequate structure, bone support, and a predictable restorative outlook.
- Retains the natural tooth and root
- Avoids creating a new space in the smile
- May restore comfortable chewing function
- Usually requires a final restoration
- May require specialist referral in complex cases
Extraction and Replacement
Extraction may be recommended when the tooth is severely fractured, lacks adequate support, cannot be restored, or has another condition that makes predictable preservation unlikely.
- Removes the damaged or infected tooth
- Creates a space that may affect chewing or tooth position
- May be followed by an implant, bridge, or denture
- May require grafting or additional treatment
- Replacement options have separate costs and timelines
Protect the tooth while it heals and until it is fully restored.
Individual instructions vary. Follow the directions provided by Dr. Strober and contact the office when symptoms are worsening rather than improving.
Wait for numbness to wear off
Avoid chewing until normal sensation has returned so you do not accidentally bite your cheek, lip, or tongue.
Expect temporary tenderness
The tooth and surrounding tissues may feel tender for several days, particularly when infection or significant inflammation was present before treatment.
Use medication only as directed
Follow the specific medication instructions provided for you and consider allergies, medical conditions, and interactions.
Avoid heavy chewing on an unrestored tooth
A tooth awaiting its permanent restoration may be more vulnerable to fracture. Use the opposite side when practical.
Complete the final restoration
Do not delay a recommended crown or permanent filling. The final restoration helps seal and protect the treated tooth.
Call about persistent or worsening symptoms
Contact the office for severe pain, increasing swelling, a bite that feels uneven, medication concerns, or symptoms that do not improve as expected.
Root canal therapy treats the inside. The restoration protects the outside.
Teeth requiring root canal therapy may already be weakened by decay, fractures, previous restorations, or loss of internal tooth structure.
A crown is often recommended for a back tooth because these teeth absorb substantial chewing forces. A front tooth or a tooth with more remaining structure may receive a different restoration.
Country Club Dentistry uses digital restorative technology, including CEREC, when appropriate for the tooth and treatment plan.
Explore CEREC Dental CrownsDiagnosis, treatment, and restoration planned together.
Dr. Rod Strober has practiced dentistry since 1993 and provides general, restorative, cosmetic, and implant care at Country Club Dentistry.
His restorative experience helps treatment planning account for more than the root canal itself—including the amount of remaining tooth structure, bite forces, final restoration, appearance, and long-term maintenance.
When the tooth has complex canal anatomy, previous root canal treatment, significant trauma, or another condition requiring specialized endodontic care, a referral may be recommended.
Helpful answers before your appointment.
Only an examination can determine whether your tooth needs root canal therapy, another restorative treatment, extraction, or monitoring.
01 What causes a tooth to need root canal therapy?
Common causes include deep decay, cracks, trauma, repeated dental procedures, a leaking or damaged restoration, and inflammation or infection involving the dental pulp.
02 Is root canal therapy painful?
Local anesthetic is used to numb the treatment area. Root canal therapy is commonly performed to relieve pain caused by pulp inflammation or infection. Temporary tenderness may occur after treatment.
03 Can I need a root canal if my tooth does not hurt?
Yes. Some teeth have limited symptoms or become less painful when the pulp loses vitality or an infection begins to drain. Dental testing and imaging may identify a problem even without a severe toothache.
04 Will antibiotics cure an infected tooth?
Antibiotics alone generally do not replace definitive treatment of the source. Root canal therapy, drainage, or extraction may be required. Antibiotics may be prescribed when systemic symptoms, spreading infection, or other clinical factors are present.
05 How long does root canal treatment take?
Appointment length and the number of visits vary according to the tooth, number and shape of the canals, infection, previous treatment, and restorative needs.
06 Will I need a crown after a root canal?
Many back teeth require crowns because they absorb significant chewing forces and may have lost substantial structure. The appropriate restoration depends on the tooth and its remaining strength.
07 How long does recovery take?
Many patients return to normal activities quickly, although the tooth may feel tender for several days. Follow the instructions provided and contact the office if pain or swelling is worsening.
08 Can every infected tooth be saved?
No. A tooth may not be predictably savable when it has a severe root fracture, inadequate bone support, extensive structural loss, inaccessible canals, or another condition that prevents reliable restoration.
09 Is a dental implant better than saving the tooth?
Both treatments can be appropriate in different situations. When a natural tooth can be treated and restored predictably, preserving it may avoid extraction and tooth-replacement procedures. An implant may be considered when the tooth cannot be saved.
10 When should I seek emergency medical care?
Call 911 or seek emergency medical care for difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading facial or neck swelling, confusion, loss of consciousness, or another potentially life-threatening symptom.
11 How do I schedule an evaluation?
Request an appointment online or call Country Club Dentistry at (760) 832-7915.
Patient Education Resources
This page provides general educational information and does not replace an examination, diagnosis, or individualized treatment plan.
Suite A & B
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
A painful tooth deserves a clear diagnosis.
Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Rod Strober to determine whether root canal therapy can relieve your symptoms and preserve your natural tooth.