Root Canal Treatment
Saving the natural tooth — even when others say it can’t be done.
Difficult cases, retreatment of failed root canals, and missed canals found through 3D CT — handled here in Pyeongtaek Godeok by directors with over a decade of experience each.
When Do You Need a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the inner pulp of a tooth becomes infected or damaged. Here are the most common situations.
Severe Tooth Pain
Sharp, throbbing pain — especially pain that wakes you up at night, lingers after eating hot or cold food, or worsens when you bite down — usually indicates the nerve inside the tooth is inflamed or infected.
Once this pain begins, it rarely resolves on its own. Root canal treatment relieves the pain and saves the tooth.
Deep Cavities or Trauma
A cavity that has progressed deep into the tooth, a fractured tooth, or trauma from a fall or impact can expose or damage the inner pulp.
Even if there’s no pain right away, infection can develop silently. Early treatment prevents more serious problems and keeps the tooth functional.
Failed Previous Root Canal
Sometimes a root canal that was done years ago can develop new infection — often because a small canal was missed during the original treatment, or because the seal has broken down over time.
Retreatment is possible in most cases. With 3D CT imaging, we can identify missed canals and address the source of reinfection accurately.
What Sets 365 E-LOOK Apart
Root canal treatment isn’t just about removing the nerve — it’s about finding every canal, cleaning thoroughly, and sealing precisely.
3D CT Reveals Hidden Canals
The most common reason root canal treatments fail is missed canals. Many teeth have additional small canals (such as the MB2 in upper molars) that don’t show up clearly on standard 2D X-rays — and these missed canals harbor bacteria, leading to reinfection later.
For complex cases, we use low-dose 3D CT imaging to map the actual root anatomy of your tooth. This lets us find and treat every canal — significantly improving long-term success rates.
Retreatment — Before Considering Extraction
Sometimes a root canal done elsewhere doesn’t go as planned, and the tooth becomes painful again — often with a recommendation to extract. Before going that route, retreatment may be an option worth considering.
We remove the existing root canal filling, identify what went wrong (missed canals, incomplete sealing, new decay), and redo the procedure properly. Retreatment is technically more demanding than a first-time root canal, and not every case is suitable. But for the cases that are, it offers a meaningful chance to save the natural tooth instead of extracting it.
Patience Over Speed
A thorough root canal can’t be rushed. We take the time to clean every canal completely, shape them properly, and seal them with precision.
Some cases require multiple visits — and that’s okay. Forcing a complex case into a single appointment is one of the main reasons root canals fail. We’d rather take an extra visit than leave bacteria behind.
What to Expect
Root canal treatment typically takes 3 to 4 visits, depending on the complexity of the case. Here’s what happens at each stage.
Step 1 — Diagnosis & Imaging
Your first visit begins with a thorough examination, X-rays, and pulp testing to confirm whether root canal treatment is truly needed. For complex teeth — molars with multiple canals, retreatment cases, or teeth with unusual anatomy — we add low-dose 3D CT imaging to map the canal system precisely.
We’ll explain what we see, discuss whether the tooth can be saved, and present alternatives (extraction with implant) when relevant.
Duration: about 30 to 45 minutes for the first visit.
Step 2 — Gradual Anesthesia
Before any work begins, we apply a topical anesthetic to numb the surface tissue, then deliver local anesthesia using our computer-controlled slow-injection system. The injection itself is far less noticeable than traditional methods.
We confirm the tooth is fully numb before starting the procedure. Despite the reputation, root canal treatment itself is not painful — most patients say it feels similar to having a filling.
Duration: 5 to 10 minutes for full anesthesia.
Step 3 — Cleaning & Shaping the Canals
We create a small access opening in the tooth, then carefully locate and clean each canal — removing infected pulp tissue and bacteria. Using fine instruments and antibacterial irrigation, we shape the canals so they can be sealed completely.
For complex teeth with multiple canals, this is where 3D CT planning makes the biggest difference. Missed canals are the #1 cause of root canal failure, and we work meticulously to find and treat each one.
Duration: 30 to 60 minutes per visit, sometimes split across multiple appointments.
Step 4 — Filling & Temporary Seal
Once the canals are completely cleaned and dry, we fill them with biocompatible material (gutta-percha) that creates a permanent seal — preventing bacteria from re-entering. A temporary filling is placed over the access opening to protect the tooth until the final restoration.
Most teeth feel significantly more comfortable after this stage, even if the gum tissue is still slightly tender.
Duration: 30 to 60 minutes.
Step 5 — Final Crown Placement
After root canal treatment, the tooth becomes more brittle and prone to fracture — so a crown is almost always recommended to protect it long-term.
Using our intraoral scanner, we capture a precise 3D impression and work with our dedicated dental laboratory to fabricate a crown that matches your bite, color, and shape. The final crown is placed at a follow-up visit, completing the treatment.
Duration: about 1 hour for the final placement.
Common Questions About Root Canal Treatment
Does a root canal hurt?
Despite its reputation, root canal treatment itself is not painful. The tooth is fully numbed throughout the procedure, and most patients tell us it feels similar to having a deep filling.
What’s painful is the condition that requires a root canal — an infected or inflamed nerve. The procedure relieves that pain by removing the source of the problem.
Some mild soreness for a few days after treatment is normal, but it’s typically managed easily with over-the-counter pain medication.
How long does the treatment take?
Root canal treatment is typically completed over 3 to 4 visits:
· Visit 1: Diagnosis, removal of infected pulp, and shaping of the canals (30 to 60 minutes)
· Visit 2: Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the canals (30 to 45 minutes)
· Visit 3: Final filling and sealing of the canals (30 to 45 minutes)
· Visit 4: Final crown placement (about 1 hour)
Splitting the treatment across multiple visits allows time for medication to work between appointments and ensures the canals are completely free of infection before sealing. Complex cases or retreatment may require additional visits — we’d rather take the time to do it right than rush and risk failure.
Why do some root canals fail and need retreatment?
The most common cause of root canal failure is missed canals — small additional canals that weren’t found and cleaned during the original treatment. Bacteria left in these canals can cause reinfection months or years later.
Other causes include:
· Incomplete sealing of the canals
· New decay reaching the previously treated tooth
· Cracks in the tooth that allow bacteria back in
With 3D CT imaging and careful technique, most failed root canals can be successfully retreated — saving the natural tooth.
Should I just have the tooth pulled instead?
Saving the natural tooth is almost always better than extracting it — even if the alternative is an implant. Natural teeth maintain bone better, transmit chewing forces more naturally, and don’t require ongoing maintenance the way implants do.
Extraction may be the right choice when the tooth is severely cracked, when there’s not enough remaining tooth structure to restore, or when the supporting bone has been destroyed by infection. We’ll evaluate honestly and recommend extraction only when the tooth genuinely cannot be saved.
What about TRICARE coverage?
Root canal treatment is typically well-covered under the TRICARE Dental Program, especially for Command-Sponsored patients. Coverage may include the procedure itself and often the final crown as well, with applicable copays.
For Non-Command-Sponsored patients, partial coverage may apply depending on your specific plan tier.
We verify your coverage before treatment begins and provide a clear breakdown of any out-of-pocket costs.
Severe Tooth Pain? Don't Wait.
Tooth pain rarely resolves on its own — and waiting often makes the problem worse. The sooner you come in, the more likely we can save the tooth.
A consultation with examination and imaging applies a fee, as accurate diagnosis requires proper evaluation. With that information, we’ll explain whether root canal treatment is needed, what the process looks like, and what the expected outcome will be.
Phone: 031-8029-6622
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