Root Canal Therapy · Daly City, CA · Bay Area

Root Canal Therapy

The Cure, Not the Cause of Your Pain.

A root canal does not cause pain — it relieves it. Performed by a Former UOP Faculty Member of 39 years in the Department of Endodontics, under operating microscope, with the goal of saving your tooth.
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Root Canal Treatment in Daly City, CA

Saving the Tooth You Were Told Might Need to Come Out.

Root canal therapy (formally, endodontic treatment) removes infected or inflamed pulp tissue from inside the tooth — the nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue that live in the root canals. The canals are then cleaned, shaped, and sealed. A crown is placed to restore the tooth to full function and protect it going forward.

The procedure has an undeserved reputation for being painful. It is not. The infection is the source of the pain. The root canal relieves it. Most patients are surprised by how straightforward and comfortable the experience is compared to what they expected.

Dr. Hovden is a Former UOP Faculty Member for 39 years — Department of Endodontics, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry — where he taught root canal therapy at university level. He uses operating microscopes throughout the procedure — now the standard of care for endodontics at teaching institutions. The result is a more complete, more accurate, and more reliably successful treatment than standard root canal technique.

His additive dentistry philosophy means extraction is always the last resort. If a tooth can be saved with root canal treatment and a crown, that is what he recommends — even when the easier, faster option would be to extract.

Root Canal Therapy at a Glance

What to expect

Goal

Save the tooth — remove infection, seal canal, restore with crown

Pain

The infection causes pain, not the treatment. Area is fully numbed before treatment begins

Appointments

1–2 appointments for the root canal — crown placed at a separate appointment

Duration

60–90 minutes per appointment depending on complexity

Credential

Former UOP Endodontics Faculty, 39 years — operating microscopes throughout

After

Some tenderness for a few days — resolves quickly. Crown placement follows to protect the tooth

Cost

Financing available — clear quote before treatment begins

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Former UOP Endodontics Faculty

39 years teaching root canal therapy at university level

Operating Microscopes

The gold standard for endodontic treatment

Save the Tooth

Extraction is always the last resort

AACD Accredited Fellow

1 of 80 worldwide — AACD-quality crown after root canal

Financing Available

Mon–Thu 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Daly City

Setting the Record Straight

“Root Canals Are Painful” — The Most Persistent Myth in Dentistry.

The pain people associate with root canals is the pain of the infection that makes the root canal necessary — not the treatment itself. Root canal therapy is performed under local anaesthetic. The tooth and surrounding area are completely numb before any instrument enters the canal.

Most patients compare the sensation to having a routine filling. Many describe relief beginning during the procedure itself — as pressure from the infected tissue is released. Root canal treatment ends the pain. It does not cause it.

  • The Tooth is Fully Numb – Local anaesthetic is administered before treatment begins. The area is tested to confirm complete numbness before any instruments enter the tooth. If additional anaesthetic is needed, it is given. You will not feel pain during the procedure.
  • The Procedure is Precise, Not Aggressive – Under operating microscope, Dr. Hovden works with fine, flexible instruments specifically designed for the canal system. The procedure is methodical and controlled — not the traumatic experience the reputation implies.
  • Modern Technique Has Changed Everything – Root canal treatment today — with rotary nickel-titanium instruments, operating microscopes, and modern irrigation — is a fundamentally different experience from the procedure of 30 years ago. The reputation has not kept up with the reality.
  • The Alternative Is Worse – An untreated infected tooth does not stop hurting — it progresses to abscess, bone loss, and eventually extraction. A tooth that has had root canal treatment and a crown can function normally for many years. The discomfort of avoiding the procedure is always greater than the procedure itself.
When Root Canal Treatment May Be Needed

Signs That Require Prompt Attention.

Some of these symptoms point clearly to a tooth in trouble. Others are less obvious. When in doubt, call — early diagnosis always produces a better outcome than waiting.

Severe Or Persistent Toothache

Pain that is severe, throbbing, or persistent — especially pain that wakes you at night or does not respond to over-the-counter pain relief — is a strong indicator of pulp involvement. Do not wait for this to resolve on its own. It will not.

Prolonged Temperature Sensitivity

If sensitivity to hot or cold lingers for more than a few seconds after the stimulus is removed, the nerve may be involved. Sensitivity that passes quickly is often reversible. Sensitivity that lingers is a warning sign that the pulp has been compromised.

Dental Abscess

A swollen, painful bump on the gum near the tooth — a fistula or sinus tract — is a sign that infection has progressed to the point of draining through the bone and gum. This requires prompt treatment. If accompanied by swelling in the face or jaw, or fever, call immediately or go to the emergency room.

Swelling or Tenderness in the Gum

Swelling in the gum tissue near a specific tooth — with or without visible pus — indicates infection. The gum may also feel tender to the touch. This swelling is the body attempting to contain a bacterial infection that has reached the surrounding bone.

Tooth Darkening or Discoloration

A tooth that has become dark — grey, brown, or significantly different in shade from adjacent teeth — may indicate that the pulp has died or is dying. A non-vital tooth can exist without symptoms for a period before abscess develops. X-rays and clinical assessment will confirm the status.

No Symptoms – But X-ray Evidence

Some infected teeth produce no pain at all. Infection at the root tip (periapical pathology) can develop silently over months — visible on X-ray as a dark shadow at the root apex. This is why regular diagnostic X-rays at dental examinations are critical. Asymptomatic infections still progress and eventually abscess.

Experiencing any of these symptoms? Call 650-755-6000. Tooth infections do not resolve on their own. Early treatment is always simpler, less expensive, and more comfortable than treatment after the infection has progressed.

Root Canal vs Extraction

Save the Tooth When You Can. Extract Only When You Must.

Many patients face a choice between root canal treatment and extraction. Some are offered extraction as the simpler or less expensive option. Dr. Hovden’s additive dentistry philosophy means extraction is always the last resort — when a tooth cannot be saved, not when saving it is merely inconvenient.

A natural tooth root provides benefits that no replacement can fully replicate. It stimulates the jawbone, preventing the bone loss that occurs when a tooth is extracted. It provides proprioceptive feedback — the subtle sense of pressure that helps you chew correctly and protects other teeth from overload. And it is always there, already in place, not requiring additional procedures or healing time.

If a tooth requires extraction, Dr. Hovden will tell you honestly — including why, and what the replacement options are. But the recommendation to extract will be based on clinical necessity, not convenience. His goal is always to preserve what you have.

  • Root Canal + Crown — Save the Tooth (Dr. Hovden’s preference when clinically appropriate) | The infected pulp is removed, the canal is sealed, and a crown is placed to protect and restore the tooth to full function. The natural root remains in the jawbone — preserving bone volume, maintaining proprioceptive feedback, and avoiding the cascade of effects that follow extraction. A tooth that has been properly root-canal treated and crowned can function normally for many years.
  • Extraction — When the Tooth Cannot Be Saved | When the tooth is non-restorable — fractured to the root, severely broken down with insufficient structure for a crown, or involved in advanced periodontal disease — extraction is appropriate. The tooth is removed and a replacement is planned: typically a dental implant, which is itself the most conservative tooth replacement option available.
  • What Happens If Neither Is Done | A dental infection will not resolve on its own. The pulp necroses. The infection spreads through the root tip into the surrounding bone. An abscess forms. The bone is lost. In severe cases, infection spreads into the jaw or neck. The tooth will eventually require extraction anyway — at significantly greater cost, complexity, and risk than treating it earlier.
What Happens at Your Appointment

The Root Canal Process — Step by Step.

No unknowns. Every stage explained before it happens. Most patients are surprised by how straightforward the experience is.

  • 1. Examination & X-Ray | Dr. Hovden examines the tooth clinically and reviews X-rays to assess the extent of infection, the number of canals, root anatomy, and the condition of the surrounding bone. A treatment plan is explained before any procedure begins. If the tooth is salvageable, root canal treatment is recommended over extraction.
  • 2. Local Anaesthetic | The tooth and surrounding area are fully numbed with local anaesthetic. Treatment does not begin until complete numbness is confirmed. If additional anaesthetic is needed during the procedure, it is given immediately. You should feel pressure during the procedure but no pain.
  • 3. Access & Canal Identification | A small opening is made through the top of the tooth to access the pulp chamber and the canal orifices. Under operating microscope, all canals — including those that would be missed at normal magnification — are identified. Missed canals are one of the primary causes of root canal failure.
  • 4. Canal Cleaning & Shaping | Fine, flexible rotary instruments remove infected pulp tissue, bacteria, and debris from each canal. The canals are progressively shaped to allow for thorough irrigation and complete sealing. Operating microscope magnification ensures complete cleaning of the canal system, including complex anatomy that standard technique may not fully address.
  • 5. Irrigation | The canals are irrigated with antibacterial solutions to eliminate remaining bacteria and remove debris. Thorough irrigation reaches areas that instruments cannot — including the complex network of small accessory canals that branch off the main canals in many teeth.
  • 6. Sealing | The cleaned canals are filled and sealed with gutta-percha — a biocompatible material — and a sealer cement. The goal is to completely seal the canal system to prevent bacterial re-entry. The access opening is temporarily restored.
  • 7. Crown Placement | A tooth that has had root canal treatment is more brittle than a vital tooth and must be protected with a crown. Crown placement is scheduled at a separate appointment after the root canal is complete and the tooth has settled. Dr. Hovden’s AACD-level crown fabrication ensures the aesthetic result matches your natural teeth seamlessly.
  • 8. Recovery | Some tenderness around the tooth is normal for 2–3 days after treatment and typically resolves with over-the-counter pain relief. Most patients return to normal activity the following day. The tooth should feel increasingly comfortable as the inflammation from the infection resolves over the following weeks.

Total treatment: 1–2 root canal appointments (60–90 min each), followed by a separate crown appointment. Many straightforward root canals are completed in a single visit. More complex cases or teeth with multiple canals may require two appointments.

The Gold Standard for Endodontic Treatment

Operating Microscopes — Now the Standard at Teaching Institutions. Always the Standard Here.

Operating microscopes have transformed endodontic treatment. Canal systems that are missed at normal magnification — small accessory canals, calcified canals, fractured instrument fragments, root perforations — are identifiable under the microscope. The quality of treatment that follows from accurate identification is fundamentally better.

Dr. Hovden has used operating microscopes throughout his practice for over 20 years — long before they became widely adopted. As a Former UOP Faculty Member for 39 years in the Department of Endodontics, he taught root canal therapy at the university level. He has also trained dentists from across the USA and internationally in microscope-enhanced care at IDEA — the Dental Education Academy. The standard he applies in this office is a teaching standard, not a marketing claim.

He completes well over 200 hours of continuing education per year since 2020 — including the latest in endodontic technique, materials, and instruments — and is the founder of the Bay Area Aesthetic Masters study club, committed to raising the level of care of local dentists for over 20 years.

  • More Canals Found | Missing a canal — leaving infected tissue sealed inside the tooth — is the most common cause of root canal failure. Under operating microscope, additional canals that are invisible to the naked eye are routinely identified and treated. This fundamentally changes the success rate of the procedure.
  • More Complete Cleaning | Seeing the canal system clearly means instruments can be placed more accurately and debris can be identified and removed more completely. Thorough cleaning reduces the bacterial load and the risk of persistent infection after treatment.
  • Fracture Identification | A tooth with a vertical root fracture cannot be saved by root canal treatment — the fracture provides a permanent pathway for bacterial re-entry. Under microscope, fractures that are invisible clinically and on X-ray can often be identified before treatment is begun — avoiding futile treatment and guiding the patient toward the appropriate alternative.
  • Retreatment Cases | When a previous root canal has failed and retreatment is needed, the microscope is essential. Identifying the cause of failure — a missed canal, a procedural error, or new pathology — is only reliably possible under magnification. Retreatment cases that other practices cannot resolve are regularly referred to Dr. Hovden for this reason.
  • More Conservative Access | Seeing clearly means the access opening can be made more precisely and more conservatively — preserving more tooth structure. This is especially important for the crown that follows root canal treatment: a more conservative access preserves more of the tooth wall for crown preparation.
After Your Root Canal

What to Expect in the Days That Follow.

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how quickly they feel better after root canal treatment. The relief from the pressure and pain of the infection typically begins during the procedure itself and continues over the days that follow as inflammation resolves.

Some tenderness around the treated tooth is normal and expected for 2–3 days after treatment. This is the tooth’s response to the procedure itself — not a sign that something has gone wrong. The tenderness should diminish progressively. If you experience increasing pain, significant swelling, or the temporary restoration comes out, call us at 650-755-6000.

  • Pain Management | Over-the-counter pain relief (ibuprofen or paracetamol) is usually sufficient for post-procedure tenderness. Take as directed on the label. If prescription pain relief has been provided, follow those instructions.
  • Eating & Drinking | Avoid chewing on the treated side until the crown has been placed. The temporary restoration is not designed for heavy chewing force. Soft foods are recommended for the first 24–48 hours. Normal eating and drinking is fine on the other side.
  • Get Your Crown Promptly | The crown appointment is critical. A tooth without a crown following root canal treatment is at risk of fracture — a tooth weakened by access and cleaning can split if exposed to normal chewing forces without the protection of a crown. Do not delay this appointment.
  • Ongoing Care | A tooth that has had root canal treatment is cared for exactly like a natural tooth — brush twice daily, floss daily, and attend regular professional cleanings and examinations. The crown must be kept clean at the gumline. Regular X-rays will monitor the area to confirm continued healing and bone recovery.
  • When to Call Us | Call 650-755-6000 if you experience: severe or increasing pain that does not respond to pain relief, significant swelling, fever, the temporary restoration falling out, or any concern about how the tooth is healing. We are here to help.
Why This Practice for Root Canal Treatment

Endodontic Expertise at a University Teaching Level.

The credentials that matter most for root canal treatment — and the ones that distinguish this practice from a standard dental office.

Former UOP Faculty Member — 39 Years, Department of Endodontics

Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific. Dr. Hovden taught root canal therapy at university level for 39 years. This is not merely a credential — it is 39 years of being required to understand, teach, and demonstrate endodontic technique to the exacting standard of a dental school faculty member. Every root canal at this practice reflects that depth.

Operating Microscopes — 20+ Years of Use

Operating microscopes are now the standard of care for endodontics at teaching institutions. Dr. Hovden has used them for over 20 years and has trained other dentists in their use at IDEA — the Dental Education Academy. The quality difference they produce in root canal treatment is not incremental — it is fundamental.

AACD Accredited Fellow — 1 of 80 Worldwide

The crown that follows root canal treatment is the final determinant of long-term success. Dr. Hovden’s AACD Accredited Fellowship means the crown is designed and placed to the highest cosmetic and technical standard — an aesthetic result that blends seamlessly with your natural teeth, placed with operating microscope precision.

Visiting Faculty — Spear Institute

Occlusal planning — how the restored tooth fits into the bite system — is critical to the long-term success of any crown placed after root canal treatment. Spear Institute training at the faculty level means every crown is planned with the bite built in from the start.

Well Over 200 CE Hours Per Year Since 2020

Including the latest endodontic techniques, instruments, irrigation protocols, and materials. The treatments available at this practice reflect the current state of the art — not techniques that were current 15 years ago.

Bay Area Aesthetic Masters — Founder

Dr. Hovden founded the Bay Area Aesthetic Masters study club — committed to raising the level of care of local dentists for over 20 years. The same commitment to elevating standards drives the standard of care at every appointment — including root canal treatment.

Root Canal FAQs

Your Questions, Answered Honestly.

Something not covered here? Call 650-755-6000 or book your appointment.

A root canal does not hurt — the infection causes the pain, not the treatment. The area is completely numbed before treatment begins. Most patients report the experience is no more uncomfortable than a routine filling. In many cases, the relief from the infection pressure begins during the procedure itself. Dr. Hovden’s patients consistently describe the experience as far less uncomfortable than they expected.

A root canal (formally, endodontic treatment) removes infected or inflamed pulp tissue — the nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue — from inside the tooth. The canals are cleaned, shaped, irrigated, and sealed with a biocompatible material. A crown is then placed to restore the tooth to full function and protect it. Root canal treatment saves a tooth that would otherwise require extraction.

Common signs include: severe or persistent toothache, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the stimulus is removed, tooth darkening, swelling or tenderness in the gum near the tooth, and a persistent bump on the gum (fistula). Some infected teeth cause no symptoms at all — which is why regular X-ray examinations are important. If you have any of these signs, call 650-755-6000.

A natural tooth is always the best option when it can be saved. Natural roots stimulate the jawbone — preventing bone loss that occurs when a tooth is extracted. A tooth that has had root canal treatment and a crown can function normally for many years. Extraction is permanent and requires replacement — typically an implant, which involves additional treatment, cost, and time. Dr. Hovden’s additive philosophy means extraction is always the last resort.

After root canal treatment, a dental crown is placed over the tooth — typically at a separate appointment after the tooth has settled. A tooth that has had a root canal is more brittle than a vital tooth and must be protected with a crown to prevent fracture. Some tenderness around the tooth is normal for 2–3 days and resolves with over-the-counter pain relief. Most patients return to normal activity the following day.

Most root canals are completed in 1–2 appointments of 60–90 minutes each. Straightforward single-canal teeth can often be completed in one visit. Teeth with multiple or complex canals may require two appointments. A separate appointment for crown placement follows after the root canal is complete.

Operating microscopes allow identification and treatment of the canal system with a level of precision impossible at normal magnification. Missed canals are the leading cause of root canal failure. Under the microscope, additional canals, calcified canals, and fractures invisible to the naked eye are routinely identified and addressed. Dr. Hovden is a Former UOP Faculty Member for 39 years in the Department of Endodontics — the microscope is now the standard of care at teaching institutions.

The pulp becomes infected or inflamed when decay reaches the inner pulp chamber, when a tooth is cracked or fractured allowing bacteria access, after repeated dental procedures on the same tooth, or following dental trauma. Once the pulp is infected, it cannot heal on its own. An infected tooth left untreated will abscess and eventually require extraction.

Yes — financing is available at Dr. Hovden’s practice. Do not delay necessary treatment over cost concerns — an untreated infection will worsen, and the eventual cost of extraction plus implant replacement is almost always higher than saving the tooth now. Your team will discuss options at your appointment.

Root canal retreatment reopens a tooth that has previously had root canal treatment to address persistent or recurring infection. This is necessary when the original treatment did not reach all canals, when the tooth was not properly restored afterward, or when new decay has allowed reinfection. Under operating microscope, retreatment can often identify the cause of failure and resolve it completely — saving a tooth that another practice may have recommended extracting. Complex retreatment cases are regularly referred to this practice.

Tooth Pain Is Telling You Something. Don’t Wait to Find Out What.

Root canal treatment by a Former UOP Endodontics Faculty Member of 39 years, under operating microscope, with the goal of saving your tooth. Modern, comfortable, and far less daunting than the reputation.

Book Your Consultation Call 650-755-6000

901 Campus Dr, Suite 202, Daly City, CA 94015 · Mon–Thu 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Financing Available