Root canal
in Miami
A root canal treats the infected inside of a tooth so you can keep it. The tooth is numbed, and we go step by step.
- Same-day visits for pain
- English & Español
Mon–Fri 8–6 · Sat 8–2
Mon–Fri 8–6 · Sat 8–2
Root canal at a glance
- Visit length
- 60–90 min
- for most teeth
- Visits
- 1–2 visits
- plus a crown afterwards, in most cases
- Does it hurt?
- Like a filling
- The tooth is numbed. Soreness for a few days is normal.
- Insurance
- Partly covered
- Many plans pay about half. We check yours.
When do you need a root canal?
Inside every tooth is soft tissue called the pulp, with nerves and blood vessels. When decay or a crack lets bacteria reach it, it becomes infected. These are the usual signs.
Swelling in your face or a fever is a reason to call us the same day. Some infections have no pain, so only an exam and X-ray can tell.
- A toothache that lingersOr throbs, especially at night.
- Heat or cold pain that does not fadeIt stays for a minute or more after the drink is gone.
- Pain when you biteOr when you press on the tooth.
- A swollen or tender gumSometimes with a small pimple-like bump near the tooth.
- A tooth that turned darkerOften a sign that the pulp inside has died.
A root canal, step by step
Most root canals take one visit of 60 to 90 minutes. A tooth with several canals, or an infection, may need a second visit. Times are general ranges.
1. Exam and X-ray15–30 minutes
We check the tooth, take an X-ray and confirm that a root canal is what you need. You see the X-ray too.
2. Numbing10 minutes
We numb the tooth and wait until it works. If you feel anything, tell us and we add more before we start.
3. Cleaning the inside30–60 minutes
Through a small opening, Dr. Okafor removes the infected pulp and cleans the canals (the narrow channels inside the roots).
4. Filling and sealingSame visit
The canals are filled and sealed, and the opening gets a filling. A crown usually follows, to protect the tooth.
1. Step 1 of 4
Exam and X-ray
15–30 minutes
We check the tooth, take an X-ray and confirm that a root canal is what you need. You see the X-ray too.
2. Step 2 of 4
Numbing
10 minutes
We numb the tooth and wait until it works. If you feel anything, tell us and we add more before we start.
3. Step 3 of 4
Cleaning the inside
30–60 minutes
Through a small opening, Dr. Okafor removes the infected pulp and cleans the canals (the narrow channels inside the roots).
4. Step 4 of 4
Filling and sealing
Same visit
The canals are filled and sealed, and the opening gets a filling. A crown usually follows, to protect the tooth.
Does it hurt?
It is the question everyone asks, and a fair one. Here is what you can expect at each stage.
Very anxious? Tell us when you book. We can go slower, add breaks, and explain each step before we do it.
- Before: the toothacheMost of the pain people link to a root canal comes from the infection. Treating the tooth is how the pain stops.
- During: pressureYou are numb, so you should not feel sharp pain. You may feel pressure, vibration and the sound of the drill. If you feel anything sharp, raise your hand and we add more numbing.
- After: a few sore daysThe tooth and gum can be tender for 2 to 5 days, mostly when you bite. Over-the-counter pain relief usually handles it. Most patients return to work the next day.
When to call us
Pain that gets worse after the third day, swelling in your face or gum, a fever, or a bite that feels too high. Call the same day.
What a visit is like
We explain each step before we do it. Raise a hand and we pause.
- You pick the timeIn pain? Call us and we will find a same-day time. Otherwise book online.
- We talk firstWhat you feel, what we found and what happens next.
- We check you’re numbWe test the numbing before we start and ask how you feel as we go.
- You leave with a planAftercare, the crown appointment and an estimate in writing.
After your root canal
The first hours
Wait to eat until the numbness fades, to avoid biting your cheek or tongue.
The first days
The tooth can feel tender when you bite. Over-the-counter pain relief usually handles it. Chew on the other side.
The crown
Most root canal teeth need a crown within a few weeks. Until then, avoid hard food on that tooth.
Call us if
Pain gets worse after day three, swelling appears or the bite feels high.
What a root canal costs, in writing
The price depends mostly on which tooth it is. Front teeth have one canal. Back teeth have up to four. Here is an example for one tooth.
What changes the price
- Front tooth or back tooth
- The number of canals
- Whether it is a first treatment or a retreatment
- The crown material
Insurance
Many plans pay about half of a root canal and part of the crown, up to the plan’s yearly maximum. We check your benefits and tell you what you are likely to owe first.
Paying over time
Financing spreads the cost into monthly payments through a third-party lender. Ask the front desk for the options.
Example estimate
Example prices
One root canal, with its crown
- Exam and X-rays
- $60–$150
- Front tooth root canal
- $600–$1,000
- Back tooth root canal
- $900–$1,500
- Crown (usually needed after)
- $900–$1,500
- Example total, back tooth
- $1,860–$3,150
A tooth that already had a root canal and needs it redone (retreatment) costs more. These are example ranges for a fictional practice. Your dentist gives you the real price in writing before anything starts.
Your root canal dentist
Dr. Daniel Okafor
Implant & restorative dentist
Dr. Okafor treats root canals at Brisa. He explains each step before he starts and checks that you are numb before he begins.
“I show you the scan on screen and go through each step before we start.”
- Focus
- Implants, crowns, bridges and root canals
- Languages
- English · Conversational Spanish
DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) · Advanced training in implant dentistry
What patients say
All reviews- Example review
“I came in with a swollen cheek on a Tuesday morning and was seen the same day. The root canal was much calmer than I expected.”
Luis A.Root canal - Example review
“I put off my root canal for months because I was scared. Dr. Okafor explained every step first, and it felt like a long filling.”
Tom H.Root canal
Questions about root canals
The ones we hear most. Ask us anything else at your visit.
Does a root canal hurt?
The tooth is numbed, so most patients say it feels like having a filling done. You may feel pressure and vibration. Afterwards, the tooth can be sore for a few days, usually eased with over-the-counter pain relief.
How much does a root canal cost in Miami?
The example estimate above shows ranges for front and back teeth. The real price depends on the tooth and how many canals it has, so we give it to you in writing after the exam.
Is it better to pull the tooth?
Saving your own tooth is usually the better choice when it can be saved. If it can’t, pulling it and replacing it with an implant or bridge is another option. Your dentist explains both.
How long does a root canal take?
Usually 60 to 90 minutes in one visit. A back tooth with several canals, or one with an infection, can take a second visit.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Most of the time, yes, especially for back teeth. The tooth is more brittle after treatment, and a crown protects it from cracking. Front teeth sometimes need only a filling.
What happens if I wait?
An infected tooth rarely heals by itself. It can spread to the bone and gum, cause swelling and lead to losing the tooth. If the pain stops, the nerve may have died, but the infection can still be there.
Tooth pain? Call us today
We keep time open each day for pain. English or Spanish, Saturdays included.
