Root Canal Therapy

Tooth Pain Evaluation and Root Canal Referrals

Severe tooth pain, lingering sensitivity, swelling or pain when chewing can be signs that the inside of a tooth is inflamed or infected. In some cases, root canal therapy may be the best way to relieve the problem and preserve the natural tooth.

At Engelhardt & Nelson Family Dentistry, Dr. Geoff Engelhardt and Dr. Raechel Nelson evaluate painful and damaged teeth in Fort Collins, Colorado and help patients determine the appropriate next step. Our doctors do not currently perform root canal therapy in-house. When endodontic treatment is needed, we refer patients to an appropriate specialist and can provide the restorative care needed afterward.

Do not wait on persistent tooth pain. Call 970-484-4890 today to schedule an evaluation.

When Might Root Canal Therapy Be Needed?

Root canal therapy may be recommended when the soft tissue inside a tooth, known as the pulp, becomes severely inflamed or infected. This can happen because of deep decay, a crack, trauma, repeated dental treatment or other damage to the tooth.

Root canal treatment may be considered when a tooth has:

Deep decay that has reached the pulp
Persistent or severe tooth pain
Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
Pain when biting or chewing
A crack or fracture that reaches the inner tooth
Swelling or tenderness near the tooth
An abscess or other signs of infection

Not every painful tooth needs a root canal. Dr. Geoff Engelhardt or Dr. Raechel Nelson will first evaluate the tooth and determine whether it may be restored in our office, needs endodontic treatment from a specialist or cannot be predictably saved.

Signs of an Infected or Inflamed Tooth

An infected tooth does not always look abnormal from the outside. Some patients develop significant pain, while others notice more subtle symptoms.

Possible warning signs include:

Severe or persistent toothache
Pain or pressure when chewing
Lingering sensitivity to temperature
Swollen or tender gums
A pimple-like bump on the gum near a tooth
A bad taste coming from the area
Facial or jaw swelling
A tooth that has become darker after trauma

If you have severe pain, swelling or another urgent concern, call 970-484-4890. You can also learn more about urgent treatment on our emergency dental care page.

How Root Canal Therapy Can Help Save a Tooth

Root canal therapy is designed to remove infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth while preserving the natural tooth structure that remains.

When an endodontic specialist performs the treatment, the inside of the tooth is cleaned, disinfected and sealed. Once the root canal is complete, the tooth often needs a final restoration to protect it from fracture and restore comfortable chewing.

For many back teeth and teeth with significant structural damage, that restoration is a dental crown.

What Happens If You May Need a Root Canal?

Your first step is an evaluation. Dr. Geoff Engelhardt or Dr. Raechel Nelson will examine the tooth, discuss your symptoms and evaluate whether the problem appears to involve the pulp or another part of the tooth.

Depending on what we find, the next step may include:

A filling for a smaller area of decay or damage
A crown for a weakened or cracked tooth
Referral to an endodontist for root canal therapy
Tooth extraction if the tooth cannot be predictably saved

Our goal is to preserve natural teeth whenever it is reasonable to do so while making sure you receive the level of care your tooth actually needs.

Referral to an Endodontic Specialist

Engelhardt & Nelson Family Dentistry does not currently perform root canal therapy in-house. When we believe a tooth may benefit from endodontic treatment, we refer patients to an appropriate specialist.

An endodontist focuses on diagnosing and treating problems involving the dental pulp and tissues inside the tooth. Specialty referral allows the root canal portion of treatment to be completed by a provider who concentrates on this type of care.

After treatment is complete, you can return to Engelhardt & Nelson Family Dentistry for the restorative phase when appropriate.

Restoring a Tooth After Root Canal Therapy

A tooth that has received root canal treatment often needs additional protection afterward. Removing infection addresses the problem inside the tooth, but the remaining tooth structure may still be weakened by decay, cracks or previous dental work.

Dr. Geoff Engelhardt and Dr. Raechel Nelson provide extensive restorative dentistry, including crowns and other restorations used to rebuild and protect treated teeth.

Both doctors have completed approximately 10,000 restorative cases and approximately 1,500 dental crowns each. Their restorative experience helps them evaluate how much healthy tooth structure remains and determine the appropriate restoration after endodontic treatment.

Will I Need a Crown After a Root Canal?

Many teeth, particularly molars and teeth with significant structural damage, benefit from a crown after root canal therapy. A crown covers the visible portion of the tooth and helps protect weakened tooth structure during normal biting and chewing.

The appropriate restoration depends on the location of the tooth, how much healthy structure remains and the amount of damage that was present before treatment.

If a crown is recommended, our team will explain why and design the restoration around your bite, comfort and long-term dental health.