Root Canal Treatment in Salt Lake City

Why Save Your Tooth With a Root Canal

A root canal removes infected or damaged tissue from inside your tooth while preserving the outer structure. Keeping your natural tooth helps maintain your bite, protects neighboring teeth from shifting, and avoids the additional cost and recovery time that come with replacement options.

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment Over Extraction

• Preserves your natural tooth — nothing looks, feels, or functions quite like the tooth you were born with.
• Prevents bone loss — removing a tooth can lead to gradual bone deterioration in the jaw.
• More cost-effective long-term — a tooth extraction often requires a bridge or implant afterward, adding expense and treatment time.
• Faster recovery — most patients return to normal activities within a day or two.

What to Expect During Root Canal Treatment

Understanding each step helps take the uncertainty out of the experience. Here is how the process works at our Salt Lake City office.

Before Your Appointment

We start with digital X-rays to evaluate the extent of infection and map the root structure. Dr. Brigham Stoker will walk you through the findings, explain your options honestly, and answer every question before any work begins. If a root canal is truly the best option for your situation, we will outline the full treatment plan and cost so there are no surprises.

During the Procedure

After numbing the area with local anesthesia, we create a small opening in the tooth to access the inner pulp chamber. The infected tissue is carefully removed, the canals are cleaned and shaped, and the space is sealed with a biocompatible material. Most patients compare the sensation to having a filling placed. If you experience dental anxiety, ask about our sedation dentistry options, including nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation.

Recovery and Aftercare

Mild soreness for a few days is normal and typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. You can eat and drink once the numbness wears off, though we recommend sticking to softer foods initially. We will schedule a follow-up to place a dental crown — often completed the same day with our in-house milling technology — to protect and strengthen the treated tooth.

Root Canal vs. Tooth Extraction — Which Is Right for You

In most cases, saving the natural tooth is the preferred approach. However, if a tooth is severely fractured or the infection is too advanced, extraction may be the more practical choice. Dr. Stoker will give you an honest recommendation based on your specific situation — not a one-size-fits-all answer. If extraction is needed, we handle that right here in our office and can discuss replacement options during the same visit. If you are dealing with sudden pain or swelling, our dental emergency team can often see you the same day.

Root Canal Cost and Insurance Coverage

Root canal cost is one of the most common concerns we hear, and we believe you deserve clear answers upfront. The total depends on which tooth is being treated — front teeth typically cost less than molars because they have fewer canals. We provide a detailed estimate before treatment begins so you know exactly what to expect.

Insurance Plans We Accept

We are in-network with 19 major insurance providers, including Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife, UnitedHealthcare, and more. Our team verifies your benefits and explains your out-of-pocket responsibility before we start. Visit our Insurance & Financing page for the full list of accepted plans.

Financing Options With CareCredit and BoomCloud

For patients without insurance or those facing a remaining balance, we offer CareCredit financing with flexible monthly payment plans. We also have a BoomCloud in-house membership plan designed to make routine and restorative care more accessible. Our goal is to make sure root canal salt lake city patients need is never delayed because of cost uncertainty.