4.9
4.9/5

Do I Need a Root Canal?

At PeakView Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, patients ask, “my tooth hurts, do I need a root canal?” Toothaches can be terribly inconvenient. They make it difficult to eat, speak, or even function. As a family dentist in Boulder, CO, we realize that a common toothache is something most people can live with until it suddenly turns a corner and becomes unbearable. The key is to visit our dental office at that initial stage before you reach the point of severe discomfort. This will give you the largest amount of options for how to treat the problem.

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Toothache Troubles: Assessing the Need for a Root Canal Procedure

If you are wondering, “my tooth hurts, do I need a root canal?” the answer is – not necessarily. We know that your tooth could hurt for several reasons, including:
In these scenarios, we can treat the problem without needing to perform a root canal. For example, we can clean your teeth and remove any food particles causing discomfort. If you have a cavity, we can remove the decay and place a filling at our family dentist office. This is done quickly and is far less invasive than a root canal. Simultaneously, if your tooth is chipped or cracked, we can restore it using dental bonding or dental veneers. If you are dealing with erosion, you may need dental crowns to protect your teeth. We also restore teeth on a daily basis and have several ways of doing so.

Other Factors You Need to Consider

However, there are many times where a root canal is the right treatment option, so to answer the question, “my tooth hurts, do I need a root canal?” we must also look at the surrounding circumstances.
How long has your tooth been hurting?
When you visit our dental office in Boulder, CO, we need to know how long you have been dealing with this issue and whether the pain came on suddenly or if it has built up over time. This will help us in determining what the source of the discomfort is and what our treatment plan needs to be.

What level of pain are you in?

At PeakView Dentistry we regularly ask patients about their pain and whether or not it is manageable. If it is only slight discomfort, you may be able to visit our Boulder dentist practice and have tooth decay removed. In many cases, a toothache is caused by a cavity that can be treated without the need for a root canal. However, we find that intense pain can often be due to an infection severe enough to warrant a root canal.

When to Call Our Emergency Dentist Office

If you have any of these symptoms, you should call our emergency dentist office at 303-578-5800 and schedule an appointment to be seen right away.
When you visit our dental office in Boulder, CO, we need to know how long you have been dealing with this issue and whether the pain came on suddenly or if it has built up over time. This will help us in determining what the source of the discomfort is and what our treatment plan needs to be.
You are having difficulty swallowing. In this case, you need to be treated by our emergency dentist office immediately. Do not delay or take any chances with this particular symptom. It is possible to develop a dental abscess, an infection that can spread from your root canal to the floor of your mouth and even into your neck. This requires urgent care.
You cannot bite down without pain. In this case, your tooth could be infected and require a standard root canal. If so, we can perform the procedure quickly.
Your tooth is changing color. Another sign of an infection is if the tooth begins to change color. In this case, it may appear gray or dull, and performing a root canal could be necessary for restoring the health of your tooth.

The Process of Performing a Root Canal

When patients call us asking, “my tooth hurts, do I need a root canal?” the second question they normally ask is what the process will be like. At PeakView Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, we will answer any questions you may have during your examination and consultation. We can complete a root canal in a way that is as comfortable as possible. The reality is that a root canal does not have to hurt. In fact, by using sedation, we can help you feel calm and relaxed to the point that most of our patients say they feel much better after the treatment than they did before the treatment. The root canal removes the infection, which is the cause of the initial discomfort, to relieve the pain. When looking for a “dentist near me” to perform a root canal, be sure to visit one who offers sedation.

Meet Our Doctors

Discover the passion and commitment that drives our dental team

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Dr. Kwiatkowski

Dr. Adam Kwiatkowski, a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, has received multiple awards for his outstanding achievements in cosmetic and implant dentistry. He is a recipient of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists’ Pre-doctoral Student Achievement Award and a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society.

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Dr. Hearne

Dr. Hearne, originally from Las Vegas, was inspired to become a dentist at the age of 12 by a close family friend who was a renowned dentist. With a foundation in customer service and excellence from his early career in the hotel industry, Dr. Hearne was further inspired to become a compassionate caregiver for his patients after the passing of his younger brother to cystic fibrosis at the age of 7.

Dr. Olsen

I was born in Ogden, Utah and always knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. After serving an LDS mission in South Africa and getting married, I studied biology at Weber State University and attended the prestigious Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska. There, I received multiple awards for clinical excellence before settling down in St. George with my family.

Smile Gallery

Witness the magic of our dental treatments

Google Reviews

Patient-centered dental care that exceeds expectations

Roxanne Trujillo

5/5
April 15, 2024
Ashely has been amazing and so helpful with my grandma! I highly recommend this company and the people here are all so amazing!! ♥️🙏🏼

Melissa Angiel

5/5
April 12, 2024
Consistently excellent experiences. Not only is Doctor K listed as a top doctor in the field for at least two years running (2022 & 2023), but he is super caring and nice. The office has a lot of high tech equipment and the staff are all super sweet & very accommodating and helpful. I have brought my three kids here too for years. Highly recommend!

Sue Stuller

5/5
April 9, 2024
So appreciate the high quality care I experienced. Caring highly skilled team. No unnecessary procedures. Excellent communication.

Sarah Mason

5/5
April 5, 2024
Amazing Doctors! When i had surgery and they made me feel so comfortable. Very professional. Would recommend to anyone looking for any dental work or surgery.

kevin meredith

5/5
March 21, 2024
Peakview Dentistry not only has a fantastic view of the Boulder Flatirons, up close and personal, they have nothing but very up close and very polite professional staff! It has been and continues to be my pleasure to be a client of theirs . Kevin J Meredith Full set replacement

Madi Gaynor

5/5
February 24, 2024
Ashley in the office has been the absolute best! She’s helped us with every question along the way & gone out of her way to get us the information we needed. Highly recommend peakview dentistry!

Danea Sharp

5/5
January 29, 2024
The BEST people – not only do they care about your oral health, but they care about you. I can’t say enough good things about Dr.K and his staff. They work with my needs and listen, and also work with you financially. They have become like family to me and I’m sure you would feel the same!

Andi Voogel

5/5
January 23, 2024
I initially connected with Ashley who was extremely helpful setting up my appointments and explaining the process. Everyone was very friendly, and I appreciated the transparency about treatment billing.

Rooting For A Painless Future

Root canals offer many advantages, from relieving pain to preserving teeth. Learn about the benefits of root canal treatment and how it can help you keep your smile healthy.

Rooting For A Painless Future

Root canals offer many advantages, from relieving pain to preserving teeth. Learn about the benefits of root canal treatment and how it can help you keep your smile healthy.

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