Skip to content
  • (850) 696-0820
  • New Patient Form
REQUEST APPOINTMENT
Elite Endodontics logo
  • Our Practice
    • About Us
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Meet Dr. Todd
    • Meet Dr. Beam
    • Meet Dr. Webb
    • Meet the Team
    • Technology
    • Patient Testimonials
    • Blog
  • Services
    • Root Canals
    • Root Canals FAQ
    • Endodontic Retreatment
    • Endodontic Surgery (Apicoectomy)
    • Sedation Dentistry
  • The GentleWave Difference
    • What is GentleWave?
    • More Comfortable Root Canals
    • Faster Root Canals
    • Effective Root Canals
    • GentleWave FAQS
  • Problems We Treat
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Cracked Teeth
    • Infected Teeth
    • Dental Abscess
  • New Patients
    • Your First Visit
    • Financial Information
    • Post-Op Instructions
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Info
    • Office Directions
  • Request Appointment
  • Our Practice
    • About Us
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Meet Dr. Todd
    • Meet Dr. Beam
    • Meet Dr. Webb
    • Meet the Team
    • Technology
    • Patient Testimonials
    • Blog
  • Services
    • Root Canals
    • Root Canals FAQ
    • Endodontic Retreatment
    • Endodontic Surgery (Apicoectomy)
    • Sedation Dentistry
  • The GentleWave Difference
    • What is GentleWave?
    • More Comfortable Root Canals
    • Faster Root Canals
    • Effective Root Canals
    • GentleWave FAQS
  • Problems We Treat
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Cracked Teeth
    • Infected Teeth
    • Dental Abscess
  • New Patients
    • Your First Visit
    • Financial Information
    • Post-Op Instructions
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Info
    • Office Directions
  • Request Appointment
Elite Endodontics logo
  • Our Practice
    • About Us
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Meet Dr. Todd
    • Meet Dr. Beam
    • Meet Dr. Webb
    • Meet the Team
    • Technology
    • Patient Testimonials
    • Blog
  • Services
    • Root Canals
    • Root Canals FAQ
    • Endodontic Retreatment
    • Endodontic Surgery (Apicoectomy)
    • Sedation Dentistry
  • The GentleWave Difference
    • What is GentleWave?
    • Faster Root Canals
    • More Comfortable Root Canals
    • Effective Root Canals
    • GentleWave FAQS
  • Problems We Treat
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Cracked Teeth
    • Infected Teeth
    • Dental Abscess
  • New Patients
    • Your First Visit
    • Financial Information
    • Post-Op Instructions
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Info
    • Office Directions
  • (850) 696-0820
  • Patient Forms
Request Appointment
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Do I Really Need a Root Canal?

Changing the Perception About Root Canals

Do I Really Need a Root Canal?
  • Elite Endodontics
  • June 4, 2024

If you’ve been told that you need a root canal, you might be feeling anxious or unsure about whether this treatment is truly necessary. At Elite Endodontics, we aim to provide clarity and address any concerns you may have.

What Happens If You Ignore a Tooth That Needs a Root Canal?

Ignoring a tooth that requires a root canal can lead to serious consequences. The primary issue is that the infection inside the tooth will not resolve on its own and can spread to other areas of your body. Here’s what can happen if you delay or avoid treatment:

  • Increased Pain — The infection can cause severe pain that may become constant and unmanageable.
  • Abscess Formation — An untreated infection can lead to an abscess, a pus-filled pocket that forms at the base of the tooth. This can cause significant swelling and more intense pain.
  • Bone Loss — The infection can spread to the surrounding bone tissue, causing bone loss around the affected tooth.
  • Systemic Issues — In rare cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream and lead to more severe health issues, such as sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition.

Is a Tooth Extraction Better Than a Root Canal?

When deciding between a root canal and a tooth extraction, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option.

Root Canal

The purpose of a root canal is to save the natural tooth by removing the infection from the inside. A root canal procedure involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting inside the tooth, and sealing the tooth.

Some of the benefits of a root canal include:

  • Preserve your natural tooth, maintaining your bite and jaw structure.
  • Quicker recovery with fewer complications than an extraction
  • Less expensive in the long term compared to extracting and replacing a tooth.

Tooth Extraction

The purpose of tooth extraction is to simply remove the entire tooth when it cannot be saved. Some of the benefits of an extraction include:

  • Eliminates the source of infection
  • Can be a quicker procedure initially

While an extraction is a quick way to remove the infected tooth, there are a few drawbacks:

  • Requires follow-up treatments to replace the missing tooth, such as implants, bridges, or dentures, which can be costly and time-consuming.
  • Potential for shifting of adjacent teeth and changes in jaw structure if the missing tooth is not replaced.
  • Involves a longer and sometimes more painful recovery process.

Whenever possible, dental providers will aim to save the natural tooth by doing a root canal and filling or crown versus extracting the tooth because it often provides better functional and aesthetic outcomes in the long term.

Is It Ever Too Late for a Root Canal?

It’s always best to address a dental infection promptly so it does not spread to the surrounding tissues/bone. However, if you have put it off, don’t hesitate to see a dental provider to get their opinion on if your tooth is still able to be saved.

However, there are some circumstances where the damage may be too extensive, making a root canal less viable. These include:

  • Severe Bone Loss — Significant bone loss around the affected tooth can compromise its stability.
  • Fractured Tooth — If the tooth has fractured beyond repair, it may need to be extracted instead.
  • Extensive Decay — If decay has destroyed most of the tooth structure, saving the tooth may not be feasible.

That said, it’s important to consult with an endodontist as soon as possible to explore your options. Early intervention can often salvage even severely damaged teeth.

Can an Abscessed Tooth Be Saved Without a Root Canal?

An abscessed tooth is a clear indication of an infection that has reached the tooth’s pulp and possibly the surrounding bone. While some temporary measures can alleviate symptoms, they do not address the root cause of the infection and it’s important to seek dental care immediately.

Temporary Remedies

  • Antibiotics — These can help reduce infection and swelling temporarily but do not eliminate the source of the infection within the tooth.
  • Pain Relievers — Over-the-counter pain medications can help manage discomfort but offer no lasting solution.

Permanent Solution

A root canal is typically necessary to remove the infected tissue, clean and disinfect the area, and seal the tooth to prevent further infection. Without this treatment, the abscess is likely to return, and the infection can worsen.

If you’ve been advised to get a root canal, it’s essential to understand the implications of delaying or avoiding treatment. Root canals are highly effective at saving natural teeth, preventing further complications, and ensuring long-term oral health. At Elite Endodontics, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality care and helping you make informed decisions about your dental treatment. If you have any questions or need to schedule a consultation, please contact us today. Your smile and health are our top priorities.

Find relief Today

During your visit, our Pensacola endodontists, Dr. Todd and Dr. Beam, will answer any and all questions about your oral health. We will provide a detailed financial consultation to ensure your treatments are timed effectively and affordably.

Request Appointment

patient testimonials

Experience 5-Star Care

Our goal is to provide our patients with the highest level of dental care available today. Read what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with us! We can’t wait to do the same for you!

Lucinda W.
The timing was perfect, little or no pain at all I needed a tynelol, very professional staff they even call to check on me that night after the surgery
Maria L.
Great Clinic! Very modern! Excellent equipment. Very nice and helpfull staff. And most of all the doctor who took care of me was great. He explained everything with details, answered all my questions, made sure all the time if i was feeling ok. I really do recommend that clinic.
C B.
What a wonderful endodontics facility! I guess I'm finally at the age where all of my doctors are younger than me. Dr. Jared Beam is a great example of the best and brightest of the newer generation. He was friendly and reassuring, knowledgeable and highly skilled. He's also got incredibly steady and gentle hands. He spent over an hour working on me, and was careful and conscientious of my comfort the whole time.

I didn't even realize how much pain I'd been in with the infected root until he drained it all out. It felt SO GOOD. I was so scared of the root canal, as I'd never had one before, but this felt really, really good. There was some minor soreness after, but nothing like I'd expected. You get sent home with a bag with water, Motrin, and follow up care info and the office calls you the next day to check on you. The support staff and office staff were wonderful. The facility was clean, pleasant, and up to date with all the new gear and xrays for treating and imaging your teeth. They even had a 3-D, panoramic type scanner to see the roots more clearly.
I would happily go back here again if I ever need another root canal (but I really hope I do not!), and I would unreservedly recommend this office to friends, family, and strangers on a train.

After my root canal was over, I told Dr. Beam about the Turkana Boy - a ~9 year old human erectus child who died from a dental abscess 1.5 million years ago - the first known dental fatality in the human record. It just goes to show how vitally important his work (and the work of other oral care specialists) still is and always will be (because even after 1.5 million years of steady advancements and evolution, people still get infected teeth). Definitely, they are all on the side of the angels. They sure saved me!

*As a footnote, the only thing I wish - which has nothing to do with this office, but only with state law and how much things have changed since the 80's-2000's - was that they could've offered nitrous gas to help with the anxiety and discomfort and fear. My neck and face and head hurt from the tension more than the tooth that was drilled. As a kid, my regular dentist had the nitrous gas on tap for anyone with anxiety issues. It's non-addicting, especially in the situation of a single use for dental care, safe, effective - and wears off so fast, you could drive yourself home afterwards. Why the govt/FDA/DEA made it impossible to get anymore (without a special license and a huge extra expense) is beyond me. I'm sure most dentists, especially endodontists, wish they still had that available in their toolbox for certain types of treatment. In most other countries, they give it to pregnant women during labor to make things easier, so it's clearly safe. I hope that one day, a huge number of medical & dental professionals will lobby to have it available again in regular & surgical offices, for use as needed (like for dental work and other things, such as my adult daughter, who passes out at the sight of a needle). But that's a cause for another day. :)

FYI, Elite Endodontics does offer sedation pills if desired, but you've got to pay an extra fee for an observer to monitor your breathing during the procedure and I, personally, found it cost prohibitive. But if you truly can't get through it any other way, or you don't mind the extra $ for a bit of extra comfort, then at least you know it's there for you if you need it. I am an herbalist, so I crafted my own herbal anxiety remedy and that was sufficient for me, but I still would've gotten the pills if it had been a bit less $. Regardless, I do appreciate that they offer that at all - most other places do not.
Ashley C.
Incredible experience! If you have dental anxiety or autoimmune/MCAS/long covid, listen up. When a dentist told me I’d need a root canal, I was literally shaking and felt like I may pass out. I wish I was exaggerating! 😄I’ve had dental anxiety as long as I can remember.

I entered Elite Endodontics not knowing what to expect, but Dr. Todd and his staff immediately put me at ease. They took my concerns seriously but also reassured me that nearly everyone has some degree of anxiety about the experience, and that they’d be there to talk me through every step. Well, they definitely delivered!

I want to note that Dr. Todd didn’t miss a beat when I explained I’ve dealt with long covid/MCAS and immediately offered me an alternative to a medication they often use in recovery. He has a protocol he uses for autoimmune patients. If you deal with one of these conditions, you know how overwhelming it can be to find a doctor who takes you seriously.

The environment here is warm and calming, and Aleah is honestly AMAZING. I am so lucky to have had her assisting Dr. Todd for my procedure. She really put me at ease and cheered me on with her sunshine-y disposition and encouragement, and even called to check on me the following day.

Dr. Todd himself is a unicorn of doctors. He has a very calming demeanor that makes you feel comfortable and reassured, while also taking great care in the detail of his work. When the machine gave a suspicious reading about the length of my tooth root, he immediately took other imaging to verify the correct size before proceeding. As a perfectionist myself, this is a characteristic I want in someone doing a root canal. 😂

I also noticed his intentionality in using phrases that foster a sense of calm. When possible, he describes the steps of the procedure in a way that is both accurate and neutral rather than the fear-mongering terminology we’re all used to when it comes to dental procedures. They even have cute animal videos playing on the television! These details make a huge difference for patients and show Dr. Todd and his office truly cares.

As for what to expect, believe it or not, my root canal was pain-free, and I was done in an hour! They’ll make sure your tooth is fully numb before beginning, and the most I felt was a tiny poke from the numbing shot. The next day, I had a moderate amount of soreness/sensitivity, and now that I’m on day two, I hardly feel anything.

If you’re considering traveling to this office, I would recommend it without hesitation. I’m so grateful my dentist recommended them!
Michelle D.
I can say nothing but the most positive things about Elite Endodontics. Dr. Todd and Leah were the best! I needed a root canal, my face was swollen, and I was in a lot of pain. They worked me in the same day, and as far as I'm concerned, they saved my life. The entire office staff was polite and caring. Dr. Todd and Leah lightened the mood and took away all of my fears. Within a couple of days, I was back to my previous self. I cannot thank them enough and highly recommend them to everyone I know. Thank you, Elite, for all that you did for me!
Irena O.
I was referred to this office from my dentist and I’m really pleased with the work they did for me. Everything went smoothly and they followed up with me the next day.
Toad F.
Had to get a root canal and Elite Endodontics was recommended by my dentist. Absolutely painless and the staff were professional and very friendly. I would absolutely recommend them!
Danil P.
Dr. Todd at Elite Endodontics is Professional with a friendly touch. I have had bad experiences with Dentists before. Dr. Todd performed a root canal and explained the procedure as he progressed. The relatively painless procedure was performed in less than an hour with care for my comfort. The office is modern and staff friendly. I recommend Dr Todd at Elite Endodontics for Excellent dental care.
Sharon B.
I had a root canal at Elite Endodontics. The procedure was completed within an hour with very little discomfort. Dr. Todd explained each step of the process carefully and gave clear instructions at the end. The assistant, Alesha, was so very kind and caring. She called the next day to check on me, which was much appreciated. I highly recommend Elite Endodontics to anyone needing a procedure that this office offers.
kim b
I'd give way more stars if I could! I've seen a lot of doctors for myself and my son, but Dr Todd is hands down the best! His bedside manner can't be beat! My 14 year old had to get a root canal (which is a terrifying thing for a mom), but it was flawless! my son even said he thinks he dozed off a couple of times. Dr Todd explained everything ahead of time and let my son know as he was about to do something. what could have been a scary procedure was super easy. Go to Dr. Todd if you need an Endodontist! I'm super super impressed and 100% thankful we came to him to get this procedure done! Thank you to Dr Todd and his entire staff! Top Notch!!
Read More

our location

Come Visit Us

We are conveniently located in Pensacola and we’re ready to serve you with the highest level of care and compassion you deserve. We look forward to meeting you!

  • Location
  • Pensacola5016 Grande Dr. Unit 101
    Pensacola, FL 32504
  • Phone
  • (850) 696-0820
  • Fax
  • (850) 696-0458

Office Hours

Monday 7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Tuesday 7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Wednesday 7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Thursday 7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Friday 7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Pensacola, FL
Footer Logo
Request Appointment

Quick Links

  • Our Practice
  • Services
  • The GentleWave Difference
  • Problems We Treat
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Our Practice
  • Services
  • The GentleWave Difference
  • Problems We Treat
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

Contact Us

  • Pensacola, FL
  • (850) 696-0820

Follow Us

Follow Us

ADA logo
Group
Brand Logo 3
Brand Logo 4
© Copyright 2025 Elite Endodontics • Sitemap • Privacy Policy • Notice of Privacy Practices • Click for Accessibility
Marketing & Web Design by HIP Creative