Root Canal Treatment in San Juan Capistrano

Save your natural tooth (fast, comfortable)

A root canal removes infected or injured nerve tissue inside the tooth, then seals the space to stop pain and protect the tooth. Whenever a tooth can be predictably saved, this treatment helps you avoid extraction and keep your natural bite. We’ll walk you through each step and keep you comfortable. (Complex cases may be treated by a local endodontist we work with.)

Quick read: Not sure whether to save or remove? See Root Canal vs. Tooth Extraction: pain, recovery & total cost.

Do I need a root canal? (common signs)

  • Lingering pain to hot/cold or spontaneous throbbing

  • Swelling, pimple on the gums, bad taste from the tooth

  • Deep decay, cracked tooth, or trauma that reached the nerve

  • Tender to chew or tap


    We’ll confirm with an exam and X-rays (and 3D scan if indicated on your emergency visit).

Root canal vs. extraction — how we decide

  • Favor saving the tooth when enough healthy structure remains and the long-term prognosis is good (often finished with a crown).

  • Favor extraction when a tooth is not restorable (deep crack below the gumline, severe decay/bone loss) or keeping it won’t serve you long term.
    Either path includes a plan to restore your bite (crown, bridge, implant, or partial)—we’ll compare costs and timelines with you. Deep dive: Root Canal vs. Tooth Extraction.

What happens during a root canal (step-by-step)

  1. Comfort first: local anesthesia; we review your health history and answer questions.

  2. Access & clean: a small opening lets us remove infected tissue and disinfect the canals.

  3. Seal: we fill and seal the canal space with a biocompatible material.

  4. Build-up: we place a core to strengthen the tooth; many teeth need a crown to prevent fracture.

Related service: Crowns & Bridges (why a crown protects a root-canal tooth).

Aftercare & recovery

Most patients feel much better within a few days. You’ll get written instructions on soreness control, chewing on the other side for a short period, and keeping the area clean. Call us if pain worsens, swelling increases, or you notice a persistent bad taste (possible re-infection). For urgent issues, see Emergency Dental Care.

If you’ve had a root canal and it still hurts

Sometimes a previously treated tooth needs retreatment or a specialist procedure. We’ll evaluate, treat in-office when appropriate, or coordinate care with a trusted endodontist so you get the best long-term result.

Costs, insurance & payment

We verify your benefits and present an insurance-aware estimate before treatment. If a crown is recommended, we’ll outline the total plan and timeline so there are no surprises. (See Insurance and Payment Options on your site.)

South Orange County areas we serve

  • San Juan Capistrano

  • Dana Point

  • Aliso Viejo

  • Mission Viejo

  • San Clemente

Related root canal guides (keep learning before you decide)

FAQs: Root canals in San Juan Capistrano

  • You’ll be thoroughly numbed; most people feel pressure, not sharp pain. We move at your pace and check comfort throughout.

  • Many root-canal teeth benefit from a crown to help prevent future fractures; we’ll advise based on remaining tooth structure.

  • Often 60–90 minutes depending on the tooth and complexity; some cases are completed over two visits.

  • Call us. We prioritize urgent cases and can start pain relief quickly; complex cases may be coordinated with a local endodontist.

  • We’ll review gentle extraction with a plan for a dental implant or bridge so your bite stays strong.

new patients welcome

new patients welcome

What patients are saying

  • Dr Kelly is awesome. Friendly, knowledgeable, and thorough with her examination. Impressed me with her read of my X-rays, which identified things I had forgotten (ie past tooth injuries) or never suspected. She takes her time and does all the work herself. You’re in good hands here.

    Jon E.

  • Dr. Kaban and the team were so welcoming and treated me with so care. They diligently walked me through my entire treatment and made me feel so comfortable. I'm so grateful to have found them!

    Daria J.

  • Dr. Kelly is incredible! A recommendation from a friend led me to this practice several years ago after visiting three other OC dentists in a year due to pain in my back molar. I was nervous about this dental visit, but Dr. Kelly … More

    Kristina R.

  • Always a pleasure, excellent service. I’ve had bad luck with dentist in the past and hate going but she always makes me feel comfortable and very conscious of my needs and fears.

    Amber H.

  • Dr. Kaban and her team are amazing! I’m usually not very comfortable at the dentist, but she made me feel at ease and really listened whenever I felt nervous. I highly recommend Kaban Dental Group to anyone!

    Erika M.