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A root canal at Charlotte Root Canal Center is a pain-free, single-visit procedure that takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on the tooth. Dr. Rush Sunar, DMD uses local anesthesia to completely numb the area, removes the infected pulp from inside the tooth, cleans and disinfects the canal system, fills it with a biocompatible material, and seals the tooth with a temporary filling. You then return to your general dentist for a permanent crown. Most patients report the procedure is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. Call (704) 375-4252 to schedule.

Before Your Appointment

There is very little preparation needed before a root canal. Dr. Sunar recommends:

Step 1 — Diagnosis and X-rays (5–10 minutes)

Dr. Sunar takes a digital X-ray of the affected tooth and performs diagnostic tests including cold testing and bite testing to confirm the diagnosis. He shows you the X-ray, explains exactly what is happening inside your tooth, and answers any questions before proceeding.

Step 2 — Anesthesia (5 minutes)

The tooth and surrounding area are fully numbed with local anesthesia. Dr. Sunar waits until the area is completely numb before beginning — you will feel no pain during the procedure. If you are anxious about dental treatment, let Dr. Sunar know and he will ensure you are comfortable before starting.

Step 3 — Isolation (2 minutes)

A small rubber sheet called a dental dam is placed around the tooth to isolate it from the rest of the mouth. This keeps the treatment area dry and clean and prevents irrigating solutions from entering your throat. The dam is comfortable and actually makes the experience easier because you can breathe normally through your nose without worrying about anything in your mouth.

Step 4 — Access and Pulp Removal (10–15 minutes)

Dr. Sunar creates a small opening through the top of the tooth to access the pulp chamber. Using specialized endodontic instruments, the infected or inflamed pulp tissue is removed from the chamber and all root canals. You will feel pressure but no pain during this step.

Step 5 — Cleaning and Shaping (15–30 minutes)

This is the most important step. Dr. Sunar uses a combination of hand instruments, rotary instruments, and ultrasonic instruments to clean and shape each canal. The canals are flushed with antimicrobial irrigating solutions that dissolve remaining tissue and kill bacteria. Each canal is shaped to a precise taper to accept the filling material. This step takes longer for molars (3–4 canals) than front teeth (1 canal).

Step 6 — Filling and Sealing (5–10 minutes)

The cleaned canals are dried and filled with gutta-percha — a biocompatible, rubber-like material — that is heated and compressed to completely seal each canal. A sealing cement is used to ensure no gaps remain where bacteria could re-enter. The access opening is closed with a temporary filling.

Step 7 — Final X-ray and Instructions (5 minutes)

A final X-ray confirms the canals are completely filled and sealed. Dr. Sunar reviews the results with you and provides post-treatment instructions. He also gives you his direct phone number in case you have any questions during recovery.

After Your Root Canal

How Long Does a Root Canal Last?

A properly treated tooth with a well-fitting crown can last a lifetime. Clinical studies show root canal success rates exceed 95%. The key to longevity is getting the crown placed promptly after the root canal and maintaining good oral hygiene — brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and scheduling regular dental checkups.

The most common signs you may need a root canal include severe toothache, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold, tooth discoloration, gum swelling near the affected tooth, pain when biting, a persistent pimple on the gums, and pain that wakes you up at night. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, the pulp (nerve) inside your tooth may be infected or dying and needs evaluation by an endodontist. Charlotte Root Canal Center in Charlotte, NC offers prompt evaluation and same-day emergency treatment. Call Dr. Rush Sunar, DMD at (704) 375-4252.

1. Severe Toothache

A persistent, throbbing toothache that does not go away with over-the-counter pain medication is one of the most common signs of pulp infection. The pain may be constant or may come in intense waves. It often worsens when lying down, which is why many patients with infected teeth report that the pain is worst at bedtime. If you have a toothache that has lasted more than a day or two, call (704) 375-4252 for an evaluation — the sooner an infection is treated, the better the outcome.

2. Prolonged Sensitivity to Hot or Cold

Brief sensitivity when drinking hot coffee or eating ice cream is common and usually not a concern. But if the sensitivity lingers for more than a few seconds after the hot or cold stimulus is removed — a sharp or dull ache that continues for 30 seconds, a minute, or longer — that is a sign the pulp inside the tooth is inflamed or damaged. This lingering pain distinguishes a pulp problem from normal tooth sensitivity.

3. Tooth Discoloration

A tooth that has turned gray, dark yellow, or brown compared to surrounding teeth may have a dying or dead pulp. When the pulp tissue inside a tooth breaks down, blood products and decomposition byproducts seep into the dentin and cause discoloration from the inside. External staining from coffee or tea affects all teeth relatively equally — a single tooth changing color is an internal problem. If treated with root canal therapy, the tooth can be saved and its color restored with internal bleaching.

4. Gum Swelling Near the Affected Tooth

Swelling, tenderness, or a raised bump in the gums near a specific tooth is a sign of infection at the root tip. The swelling may come and go. It may be tender to touch or pressure. In some cases the swelling is visible on the outside of the face (cheek or jaw). This indicates the infection is significant and needs urgent treatment to prevent it from spreading.

5. Pain When Biting or Chewing

Sharp pain when biting down on food — especially pain that occurs when releasing the bite — can indicate a cracked tooth or an inflamed pulp. This type of pain is often intermittent and difficult to pinpoint, which is why patients sometimes feel like it is coming from several teeth at once. An endodontist like Dr. Sunar uses specialized diagnostic tests to identify exactly which tooth is the source.

6. A Pimple on the Gums (Fistula)

A small, pimple-like bump on the gums near a tooth is called a fistula or sinus tract. It is a drainage channel that forms when an infection at the root tip creates an exit path through the bone and gum tissue. The bump may drain pus and cause a bad taste in your mouth. It may appear and disappear repeatedly. A fistula is a definitive sign of a root tip infection that requires root canal treatment.

7. Pain That Wakes You Up at Night

Dental pain that wakes you from sleep is a strong indicator of an irreversibly inflamed or infected pulp. When you lie down, blood flow to the head increases, which increases pressure on the inflamed tissue inside the tooth. This is why tooth infections often feel worse at night. If dental pain is disrupting your sleep, call Charlotte Root Canal Center at (704) 375-4252 — we offer same-day emergency appointments.

What Happens If You Ignore These Signs?

A tooth infection will not heal on its own. Left untreated, the infection can spread to surrounding bone, adjacent teeth, and in severe cases to other parts of the body. An untreated dental abscess can become a medical emergency. Additionally, the longer an infection is left untreated, the less likely the tooth can be saved — early treatment gives the best chance of preserving your natural tooth.

A root canal is better than extraction in most cases because it saves your natural tooth, costs less overall, requires less treatment time, and preserves your jawbone and bite alignment. Extraction should only be considered when a tooth is too severely damaged to be saved — such as a vertically fractured root, a tooth split below the gum line, or a tooth with insufficient remaining structure. Dr. Rush Sunar, DMD at Charlotte Root Canal Center in Charlotte, NC evaluates each case individually and will always recommend saving the tooth when it is clinically possible. Call (704) 375-4252 to schedule an evaluation.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Why Saving Your Natural Tooth Is Almost Always Better

Nothing functions as well as a natural tooth. Even the best dental implant is a replacement — your natural tooth, when properly treated with a root canal and protected with a crown, remains the gold standard for several reasons:

When Is Extraction the Right Choice?

Dr. Sunar will recommend extraction only when the tooth genuinely cannot be saved:

When extraction is necessary, Dr. Sunar can refer you to Charlotte Dental Implant Center — his specialist implant practice in the same building — for seamless replacement.

The cost of a root canal in Charlotte, NC ranges from approximately $500 to $1,500 depending on which tooth is affected. Front teeth (incisors and canines) have one canal and cost less — typically $500 to $800. Premolars with one to two canals cost $600 to $1,000. Molars with three to four canals are the most complex and cost $800 to $1,500. These ranges are for the root canal procedure itself and do not include the crown, which is placed by your general dentist afterward. Charlotte Root Canal Center accepts most dental insurance plans and offers financing options. Call (704) 375-4252 for specific pricing for your case.

Why Does Root Canal Cost Vary by Tooth?

The primary factor driving root canal cost is the number of canals inside the tooth. More canals means more time, more complexity, and more materials:

Other Factors That Affect Cost

Does Insurance Cover Root Canals?

Most dental insurance plans cover root canal therapy. It typically falls under “major services” or “endodontic services” and is covered at 50% to 80% after your deductible. For example, if your plan covers endodontic treatment at 80% and a molar root canal costs $1,200, your insurance would pay approximately $960 and your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $240 (after deductible).

Charlotte Root Canal Center accepts most major dental insurance plans including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Delta Dental, Guardian, Humana, MetLife, Principal, United Concordia, and UnitedHealthcare. Our team verifies your benefits and files claims on your behalf. See our full accepted insurance list.

Root Canal vs Extraction: Which Costs Less?

A root canal plus crown is almost always less expensive than extracting the tooth and replacing it:

Saving the natural tooth with a root canal is the best clinical and financial decision in most cases.

Financing Options

Charlotte Root Canal Center offers financing through CareCredit, LendingClub, and Proceed Finance for patients without insurance or with out-of-pocket costs. Monthly payment plans with low or no interest are available. You can also combine insurance coverage with financing to cover the remaining balance.