Sometimes you can, and sometimes you can’t.
If the problem is caught early, a filling or crown may be enough to save the tooth. Once the nerve inside the tooth becomes permanently damaged or infected, however, a root canal is often the best way to save your natural tooth.
That’s one reason we encourage patients not to ignore tooth pain. Treating a problem early usually gives you more options.
If a root canal is recommended, we’ll explain why and answer every question before you decide how you’d like to move forward.