Root Canal Treatment in Beverly Hills, CA
If a tooth is throbbing, sensitive to hot or cold, or has started to swell, root canal treatment in Beverly Hills at ConfiDental can relieve the pain and save your natural tooth. Dr. Liyan Massaband numbs the area thoroughly, removes the infected nerve, seals the tooth and plans the crown that protects it, and most patients tell us it felt no worse than getting a filling. Same-day appointments are available for tooth pain and swelling.
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Swelling in your face or jaw? Call us today, and read about facial swelling. If swelling is spreading quickly, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the nearest emergency room. See our emergency dentist page.
What Is a Root Canal?
Inside every tooth is the pulp, a soft core of nerves and blood vessels. When deep decay, a crack or an old injury lets bacteria reach the pulp, it becomes inflamed or infected. That is what causes the deep, throbbing toothache that often keeps people up at night.
A root canal (endodontic treatment) removes that infected tissue, cleans and disinfects the canals inside the root, and seals them so bacteria can’t return. The tooth stays in your mouth, keeps its root in the bone, and is usually protected with a crown. The American Association of Endodontists explains the procedure step by step.
Why not just wait or take antibiotics? A tooth infection does not heal on its own. Antibiotics can calm swelling for a while, but they can’t reach bacteria inside the tooth, which is why the ADA advises against antibiotics as a substitute for treating the tooth. Left alone, the infection can spread into the jaw and face.
The most important thing to understand about root canal treatment: Delaying it does not make the infection go away. A dental abscess caused by pulp infection can spread to the jaw, neck, and in severe cases beyond, creating a life-threatening medical emergency. Antibiotics can temporarily suppress the infection but cannot eliminate it from inside the sealed root canal system. Root canal treatment is the only way to address the infection definitively while saving the tooth.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- Throbbing tooth pain, especially at night
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the drink is gone (a sign of irreversible pulpitis)
- Pain when you bite or chew
- A tooth that has turned grey or dark
- A swollen gum or a pimple-like bump near the tooth, often a sign of a tooth abscess
- A deep cavity or a cracked tooth that hurts
Some infected teeth cause no pain at all and only show up on an X-ray. Read the full list of signs you need a root canal, or our guide on how to stop a toothache while you wait for your appointment.
What Happens During Your Root Canal
- Exam and X-ray. We confirm the tooth needs a root canal and check how many canals it has.
- We make sure the tooth is completely numb before we start. Infected teeth can be harder to numb, so we use extra techniques when needed, and we stop and add more anesthetic if you feel anything beyond pressure.
- Protecting the tooth. A small rubber sheet keeps the tooth clean and dry.
- Cleaning the canals. The infected pulp is removed, and the canals are shaped and disinfected.
- The canals are filled with a biocompatible material and sealed.
- Restoring the tooth. A temporary filling goes on first. A permanent crown usually follows, because back teeth that have had a root canal are more likely to crack without one.
Most root canals take one visit of about 60 to 90 minutes. Complex molars or badly infected teeth sometimes need two visits.
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
With good numbing, most patients feel pressure and vibration, not pain. Many say it felt like a long filling. The toothache you had before is usually far worse than the treatment.
Afterward, the tooth and gums may be tender for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relief is usually enough. The American Dental Association recommends ibuprofen, alone or with acetaminophen, as the first choice for dental pain if it is safe for you.
Recovery After a Root Canal
- Wait until the numbness wears off before eating.
- Chew on the other side until your permanent crown or filling is placed.
- Expect mild tenderness for a few days, and mild swelling that peaks around day 2 or 3.
- Brush and floss normally, gently around the tooth.
- Call us if swelling grows after day 3, pain gets worse, or you have a fever.
The AAE’s post-treatment care guide covers what’s normal. For more detail, see our articles on swelling after a root canal and the signs of infection after a root canal.
Root Canal Retreatment
Most root canals last for many years. Occasionally, a treated tooth becomes infected again, often because of a hidden canal, a crack or a leaking crown. Root canal retreatment reopens the tooth, removes the old filling material, cleans the canals again and reseals them. The AAE’s retreatment guide explains when it’s recommended. Learn why an abscess can persist after a root canal.
We see many patients for second opinions on root canals done elsewhere. For complex cases, such as very curved or blocked canals, or when surgery at the root tip is needed, we refer you to a trusted endodontist (root canal specialist) and coordinate your care.
Partial Root Canal (Pulpotomy)
A partial root canal, or pulpotomy, removes only the infected pulp in the top part of the tooth and keeps the healthy pulp in the roots alive.
- In children, it is used to save baby teeth until they fall out naturally.
- In adults, a vital pulpotomy with a bioceramic material such as MTA can be an option when the nerve is exposed by an injury or a small cavity but is still healthy.
For most adult teeth with an established infection, a full root canal is the standard treatment. Your exam and X-rays tell us which option fits your tooth.
Root Canal or Extraction?
| Root canal and crown | Extraction |
Your natural tooth | Saved | Removed |
Jaw bone | Kept, because the root stays in place | Shrinks over time without a replacement |
Neighboring teeth | Stay in place | Can drift into the gap |
Next step | A crown | An implant or bridge to fill the gap |
Total cost over time | Usually lower | Usually higher once the tooth is replaced |
We recommend saving the tooth whenever it can be restored well. If it can’t, because of a vertical root fracture, too little tooth left or severe bone loss, we’ll tell you honestly and plan a surgical extraction and replacement with a dental implant. Compare the options in root canal vs. tooth extraction and root canal vs. implant.
Root Canal Cost
[CONFIRM ALL PRICES BEFORE PUBLISHING]
Tooth | Typical cost | Usual number of canals |
Front tooth (incisor or canine) | $700 to $1,000 | 1 |
Premolar | $800 to $1,200 | 1 or 2 |
Molar | $1,000 to $1,500 | 3 or 4 |
Root canal retreatment | $1,200 to $1,800 | Varies |
Crown after a root canal | $1,200 to $2,000 | Billed separately |
Insurance: most dental plans cover root canals under basic or major services, often at 50 to 80 percent up to your annual maximum, and crowns under a similar benefit. We confirm your coverage and give you a written estimate before treatment. See understanding dental insurance and our payment options.
Your Root Canal Dentist
Dr. Liyan Massaband | Confidental Beverly hills
Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD, MPH earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University and her Master of Public Health from USC, and has more than 15 years of experience. She explains every option before treatment, lets you decide, and takes the time to make sure you are comfortable. She is licensed by the Dental Board of California.
Patient Stories
Real experiences shared by patients reflect comfort, trust, and positive outcomes built over time through consistent care and open conversations with our dental team.
Visit Our Office
ConfiDental Beverly Hills · 9615 Brighton Way, Suite 222, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (310) 858-9212
Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM · Friday 9 AM to 4 PM · Same-day visits for tooth pain when available
We see patients from Beverlywood, Beverly Grove, Century City, West Hollywood and across Los Angeles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need a root canal?
Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, throbbing pain, pain when biting, a darkened tooth or a gum bump are common signs. Only an exam and X-ray can confirm it, so book a visit if you notice any of these.
Does a root canal hurt?
With proper numbing, most patients feel only pressure. Mild soreness for a few days afterward is normal and usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief.
How long does a root canal take?
Most take one visit of about 60 to 90 minutes. Complex molars may need two visits.
Can I get a same-day root canal?
Often, yes. Call us early in the day if you have tooth pain or swelling and we will do our best to see you that day.
How much does a root canal cost in Beverly Hills?
Typically $700 to $1,500 depending on the tooth, plus a crown for most back teeth. Insurance usually covers part of the cost.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Most back teeth need one, because they take heavy chewing forces and are more likely to crack. Front teeth can sometimes be restored with a filling.
How long does a root canal tooth last?
With a good crown and regular checkups, a root canal treated tooth can last for many years, often for life.
What is a partial root canal?
A partial root canal, or pulpotomy, removes only the infected pulp at the top of the tooth and keeps the healthy root pulp. It is used mainly for baby teeth and in some adult cases where the nerve is still healthy.
Is pain after a partial root canal normal?
Mild tenderness for a few days is normal. Pain that gets worse, lingers or throbs on its own can mean the remaining pulp is inflamed, and the tooth should be checked.
Can a root canal be redone?
Yes. Root canal retreatment cleans and reseals the canals when a treated tooth becomes infected again.
Is it better to pull the tooth instead?
Saving your natural tooth is usually better for your bite and bone, and often costs less over time than replacing it. Extraction is the better choice only when the tooth can’t be restored.
Will I need antibiotics?
Usually not. Antibiotics are used only when an infection is spreading or you have a fever. Treating the tooth is what clears the infection.