A root canal saves an infected or badly damaged natural tooth, and at Valley View Dental it is done here start to finish, with no referral out. If you have tooth pain, an infection, or a cracked tooth, our in-house endodontist treats it right here, so you keep your own tooth.
A root canal removes inflamed or infected pulp from inside the tooth, then cleans, fills, and seals it to save the natural tooth. The pulp is the soft tissue inside your tooth, and when it becomes infected or inflamed, it can cause real pain. The goal of the procedure is to clear the infection and save your natural tooth.
Decay has reached the pulp inside the tooth.
An infection has settled at the root.
The tooth is cracked or broken.
Deep pain that does not settle on its own.
You may need a root canal when the pulp inside a tooth is infected or inflamed, and common signs are lasting pain, swelling, or sensitivity to heat. Untreated infections can spread and form an abscess, so they should be seen promptly.
Tooth pain that does not settle.
Hot or cold sensitivity that lingers.
Swelling or tenderness in the nearby gum.
A small pimple or bump on the gum.
Tenderness or pain when you bite down.
Only an exam and an X-ray can confirm you need a root canal. If a tooth infection flares up, Valley View Dental offers same-day emergency care so you can be seen quickly.
A root canal usually takes one or two visits, and your dentist numbs the tooth, removes the infected pulp, then cleans and seals the canal. Knowing each step makes the day of treatment feel familiar, not frightening.
Local anesthesia keeps the area comfortable.
A small opening is made in the top of the tooth.
The inflamed or infected pulp is taken out of the canal.
The canal is cleaned and shaped from the inside.
The canal is filled and sealed to keep bacteria out.
Rebuilt with a filling or a CEREC same-day crown, made here.
Most root canals are done in one or two visits, and with local anesthesia they feel much like getting a filling. During treatment the tooth is numb, so it is not more painful than a routine filling. Afterward the tooth may feel sore for a few days, and that soreness usually eases with over-the-counter pain relief.
Wait until the numbness wears off, then favor soft food and chew on the other side for a day or two.
Yes. Only local anesthesia is used, so most people drive themselves and return to their day right after.
A back tooth often needs a crown after a root canal, to protect it from cracking, because the treated tooth becomes more brittle. A front tooth may need only a filling, while a molar usually needs a crown to hold it together. At Valley View Dental, CEREC same-day crowns are often completed in one visit, so you may not need a separate appointment.
A root canal saves the natural tooth, while an extraction removes it and a filling only treats decay that has not reached the pulp. Saving your own teeth is usually the better option, and a root canal is generally less expensive than extracting and replacing the tooth.
| Compare | Root canal | Filling | Extraction |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it treats | Infected or inflamed pulp inside the tooth | Decay in the outer tooth, before it reaches the pulp | A tooth too damaged to save |
| Keeps your tooth? | Yes, saves the natural tooth | Yes | No, the tooth is removed |
| Typical use | The pulp is infected or inflamed | Early decay in the outer tooth | The tooth cannot be saved |
| What comes next | Often a crown, sometimes a CEREC same-day crown | Usually nothing further | An implant or bridge to fill the gap |
Because implants, extractions, and restorative care are all offered in-house, you get an honest recommendation without being sent elsewhere.
Root canal treatment is a well-established dental procedure, and there is no reliable evidence that it causes disease elsewhere in the body. A root canal does the opposite of harm: it removes infection to save the tooth, and millions of teeth are treated and saved this way each year. If you have read something worrying online, bring it to your consult and we will walk through it with you.
Source: American Association of Endodontists (AAE), 2026. Reviewed for accuracy by a licensed Valley View Dental clinician.
Your root canal cost depends on the tooth and whether a crown is needed, so you get a clear written estimate at a free consult before anything starts. There is no single price for a root canal, because every tooth is different, and a root canal is generally less expensive than extracting and replacing the tooth.
A free consult and a written estimate before any treatment starts.
Most major PPO plans are accepted.
Available through Cherry, on approved credit.
Valley View Dental has an in-house endodontist, Dr. Fuwad Al-Sabek, so your root canal is treated here, start to finish, without a referral out. Many offices send complex cases to an outside specialist, but here an endodontist works under the same roof as your dentist, so your care stays in one place.
Dr. Fuwad Al-Sabek treats your root canal here, start to finish.
Serving Romeoville, Naperville, and Montgomery for over two decades.
Same-day appointments, same-day emergency care, and Saturday hours.
Wait until the numbness wears off, then stick to soft food and chew on the other side for a day or two while the tooth settles.
Yes. Only local anesthesia is used, so most people drive themselves and return to work the same day.
A general dentist or an endodontist can perform a root canal and then restore the tooth with a filling or crown. At Valley View Dental, an in-house endodontist handles complex cases.
Treat decay early, keep up with cleanings and checkups, and see us promptly when a tooth starts to hurt.
You do not have to decide alone. A consult gives you a written estimate and a clear plan, before any treatment begins. Bring your tooth to a dentist who will explain the root canal in plain words and put the cost in writing first. Call (630) 509-7933 or book online.
A written estimate and a clear plan, before any treatment begins.
Get the smile you deserve today!