Root Canals
Expert Root Canal Dentist in Tukwila
Taking the Anxiety Out of Root Canals in South King County, WA
Root canal treatment sounds like an intimidating procedure, but the process is straightforward, and the consequences of avoiding the proper treatment are likely to cause far more pain and damage to your oral health.
Getting a root canal doesn’t have to mean discomfort, confusion, or long drives. At Smiles @ Southcenter in Tukwila – just minutes from downtown Renton via I-405 – we specialize in gentle, efficient root canal therapy for patients across south King County. Our team makes the process clear, painless, and fast. And we offer IV conscious sedation to help ease any fear or anxiety.
Let us take the anxiety out of your root canal treatment.
Root Canal Therapy
When the pulp in a tooth or several teeth becomes infected, root canal treatment is the best solution to remove the infected area, save the rest of your damaged tooth and surrounding teeth, and keep your mouth and smile healthy.
Why Root Canal Treatment May Be Needed
Inside each tooth lives a bundle of nerves, blood vessels, and tissue known as the dental pulp. When this pulp becomes infected – often from a deep cavity, cracked tooth, or trauma – the usual symptoms include lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, throbbing pain with biting pressure, swelling, or a bad taste in your mouth. At Smiles @ Southcenter, our skilled dentists remove the infection, clean the root canal, and seal the tooth – saving it and protecting surrounding teeth from shifting or damage.
Treatment Options
- Root Canal Therapy
Our first choice to preserve your tooth and restore full function - Tooth Extraction
An extraction is only a short-term solution because teeth need each other for support. Only recommended when a tooth is too severely damaged – then we’ll plan a restoration (implant or bridge) to prevent shifting, decay, or gum disease. - Delayed treatment warning
Ignoring a tooth infection isn’t a “wait-and-see” option. The infection spreads down the root, into the jawbone, and becomes more painful and costly to treat. - Technology & comfort
In our Tukwila office, we use modern equipment, sedation options and a calm, family-friendly environment so you’ll feel secure and well-informed the whole way.
If you have a tooth that’s been bothering you or you simply haven’t visited a dentist in a while, it’s a good idea to get a professional exam that will diagnose problems or, better still, catch issues early to prevent further pain and damage and invasive treatments. Regular checkups for prevention go a long way in protecting your smile!
Why Choose Smiles @ Southcenter
Pain-Free, Gentle Root Canal Care
Smiles @ Southcenter prioritizes patient comfort, using modern techniques and IV conscious sedation (if desired) to make root canals as pain-free and stress-free as possible – even for those who’ve avoided the dentist for years.
In-House Root Canal Treatment
Unlike many dental offices that refer patients out, we perform root canals right in our office – saving you time, money, and the hassle of visiting a specialist.
Convenient for Local Residents & Commuters
Located near Westfield Southcenter Mall and SeaTac Airport, our office is located immediately off I-5 and I-405 and easily accessible for patients in Tukwila, Renton, and surrounding neighborhoods.
High Patient Satisfaction and Positive Reviews
We maintain a 4.9-star rating on Google with over 390 reviews highlighting the quality of care, attentive staff, and positive patient experiences.
Flexible Payment Options and In-House Dental Membership Plan
We offer flexible payment options, and for patients without dental insurance, we offer an in-house dental membership plan providing access to quality dental services at significantly reduced fees.
Multilingual Staff
Our team can communicate in multiple languages, including Vietnamese and Mandarin.
Family-Friendly Dental Care Under One Roof
From toddlers getting their first checkups to grandparents needing specialized treatments, Smiles @ Southcenter offers a full range of dental services for every age, all in one convenient location. Our welcoming environment puts children’s nerves at ease and makes it easy for busy families to fit quality dental care into their schedule with minimal disruption.
No Dental Insurance? No Worries.
Enroll in S@S Dental Plan. A dental plan that cuts cost, not convenience. Join today, you’ll be glad you did!
An in-house membership plan for families and individuals that allows members to receive dental services at significantly reduced fees with coverage that starts right away.
Symptoms of Infection
You may have an infected tooth if you experience:
A tooth that has lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
A tooth that hurts with biting or pressure
Throbbing or severe tooth pain
Swelling
A bad taste in your mouth
How to Handle a Tooth Infection
Once a patient has an infected tooth or teeth, the dentists at Smiles@Southcenter will try to save the tooth with a root canal treatment, which removes the infected pulp without removing the whole tooth, disinfects the area to kill bacteria, and then fills and seals the tooth.
From the outside, your smile won’t change. This is why a root canal treatment is actually a good treatment option rather than something to avoid.
In some cases where the infection is too severe, it may be necessary to remove the tooth, and with it, the entire infection. This isn’t a first-choice treatment for patients, because an extraction is only a short-term solution.
Your teeth need each other for support, and missing teeth may cause shifting or increase the risk for decay and gum disease. A dental implant or other restoration is usually required as a follow-up procedure to solve this problem.
Some patients delay treatment of the infected tooth. This is a dangerous choice because an infected tooth will never heal on its own. Instead, the infection will spread down the tooth and into the jawbone, significantly increasing the pain. As you can see, a root canal is an important procedure to maintain your smile without even more invasive dental work. That’s why we encourage our community members to schedule regular dental exams.
Don’t Wait – Get Relief from Tooth Pain Today!
Tooth pain rarely gets better on its own – and waiting can lead to more discomfort, swelling, or even loss of the tooth. If you’re experiencing sensitivity, pressure when chewing, or pain that wakes you up at night, it’s time to get care.
At Smiles @ Southcenter, we make your comfort our top priority. Our experienced team provides gentle, precise root canal treatment using state-of-the-art technology and clear communication – so you always know what’s going on, and you’re never rushed or pressured.
Let’s put an end to the pain. Call today to book your root canal appointment.
Smiles @ Southcenter
Address
15425 53rd Ave S
Tukwila, WA 98188
Phone
206-575-9150Hours of Operation
Monday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Root Canal FAQs
Will the root canal hurt?
No – we use state-of-the-art technology and have IV conscious sedation available to ensure you stay comfortable during your treatment.
Do you accept my insurance?
We are in-network with Delta Dental and accept most insurances as an out-of-network provider. We also offer flexible financing options and an in-house dental membership plan to make treatment affordable.
I don’t have insurance – can you still treat me?
Yes – learn more about our in-house dental membership plan for affordable, discounted care. Or call our office to learn more.
How long does a root canal take?
Most cases are completed in a single visit.
How long does a root canal last?
A properly treated tooth with a final crown can last many decades – often a lifetime. The key is proper sealing of the canals, placing a crown soon after treatment, and good brushing, flossing, and regular checkups.
What happens if I delay treatment?
Your tooth infection will continue to spread – leading to more pain, swelling, and eventual tooth loss.
Do you offer sedation for nervous patients?
Yes – we offer IV conscious sedation to make your dental treatments comfortable.
How do I know if I really need a root canal?
A root canal is recommended when the tooth’s nerve is infected or damaged. Common signs include lingering pain after hot/cold, pressure sensitivity, swelling, or a visible abscess. We can confirm this with imaging and a simple diagnostic test during your visit.
Is a root canal better than having the tooth removed?
Yes, when possible. Saving your natural tooth maintains proper chewing and bite alignment, prevents surrounding teeth from shifting, and avoids the need for implants and bridges. Extraction is only recommended when the tooth can not be saved.