Endodontist in Lincolnwood
A throbbing toothache, pain when you bite down or sensitivity to hot and cold that won’t go away usually means the nerve inside a tooth needs help. At Lincolnwood Family Dental, root canal care is provided in-house by Dr. Mahmoud Mona, DMD, our endodontic specialist.
Endodontists focus on one thing: diagnosing tooth pain and saving natural teeth. Because your general dentist and your endodontist work in the same office on W Touhy Ave, you don’t have to be referred elsewhere, and treatment can often start sooner.
Whether you need a first-time root canal, retreatment of an older root canal, or care for a cracked or injured tooth, our Lincolnwood office handles everything from diagnosis to the final crown, all in one place.
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What Is an Endodontist?
An endodontist is a dentist who completes two to three more years of specialty training after dental school, focused on the soft pulp and nerves inside the tooth. According to the American Association of Endodontists, endodontists perform about 25 root canal treatments a week, while general dentists typically perform about two.
That focus on one area means more experience with complex cases: curved or narrow canals, molars with several roots, teeth that have had a root canal before, and pain that’s hard to pin down.
Is Root Canal Treatment Safe?
Yes. Root canal therapy is one of the most common procedures in dentistry and has a long safety record. It removes the infected or inflamed pulp, cleans and disinfects the canals, and seals the tooth so bacteria can’t get back in. Most patients say it feels much like getting a filling, and the pain they came in with goes away once the infection is treated.
Affordable Root Canal Treatment
Saving your natural tooth usually costs less over time than removing it and replacing it with a bridge or dental implant. We accept most major PPO plans, offer 0% financing through CareCredit, and will explain your out-of-pocket cost before treatment begins.
Root Canal Treatment in the Chicago Area Typically Costs
$900 – $2,400
Please note – This is a typical area range by tooth type (front teeth cost less, molars cost more). It does not include the exam, X-rays, or the crown that is often needed afterward. Your exact fee is confirmed at your consultation.
Endodontic Services We Offer
- Root Canal Therapy: Removes infected or inflamed pulp to relieve pain and save the tooth.
- Root Canal Retreatment: Re-treats a previously root-canaled tooth that has become painful or re-infected.
- Endodontic Surgery (Apicoectomy): Treats infection at the tip of the root when a standard root canal alone isn’t enough.
- Cracked & Injured Teeth: Prompt care for chipped, cracked or knocked-loose teeth after an accident or sports injury.
- Diagnosis of Tooth Pain: Careful testing and X-rays to find the source of pain that’s hard to pinpoint.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- Persistent Toothache: Constant or throbbing pain, especially pain that wakes you at night.
- Lingering Sensitivity: Pain from hot or cold that lasts long after the food or drink is gone.
- Pain When Chewing: Sharp pain when biting down or putting pressure on a tooth.
- Swollen or Tender Gums: Swelling, tenderness or a pimple-like bump on the gum near a tooth.
- Darkening Tooth: A tooth that turns gray or darker, which can signal a damaged nerve.
Get Relief and Save Your Tooth
Don’t wait for a toothache to get worse. An untreated infection can spread and may cost you the tooth. Contact Lincolnwood Family Dental to schedule your root canal consultation today or call us at 847-610-9272. Severe pain or swelling? Visit our emergency dentist page.
What to Expect During Your Root Canal
- Exam & X-rays: Dr. Mona tests the tooth and reviews X-rays to confirm the diagnosis and plan treatment.
- Numbing: Local anesthetic keeps the area fully numb, so you stay comfortable.
- Cleaning the canals: The infected pulp is removed, and the canals are cleaned, shaped and disinfected.
- Sealing the tooth: The canals are filled and sealed, and a filling closes the tooth.
- Protecting the tooth: Back teeth usually need a dental crown to restore full strength.
Most root canals take one or two visits of about 60 to 90 minutes. Mild soreness for a few days is normal and is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Understanding the Cost of a Root Canal
The cost of a root canal depends on which tooth is treated (molars have more canals than front teeth), how complex the canals are, whether the tooth was treated before, and the final restoration it needs.
Because our endodontist and general dentists work together under one roof, your root canal and crown can be planned together, and you’ll get a clear estimate before treatment begins.
Affordable Root Canals With Flexible Financing
We don’t want cost to stand in the way of saving your tooth.
Our office provides:
- 0% financing through CareCredit
- Support with most major PPO insurance plans (most plans cover part of a root canal)
- Clear explanations of coverage and out-of-pocket costs
Learn more on our dental insurance page.
Benefits of Seeing an Endodontist
- Keep Your Natural Tooth: Nothing looks, feels or chews quite like your own tooth.
- Fast Pain Relief: Treating the infection removes the source of the pain.
- Specialist-Level Experience: Advanced training for complex and repeat cases.
- Protect Your Smile and Jawbone: Saving the tooth prevents the shifting teeth and bone loss that can follow an extraction.
- One Office for Everything: Root canal, crown and checkups, all in one place.
Start With a Root Canal Consultation
During your visit, we will:
- Evaluate the painful tooth with testing and X-rays
- Give you a clear diagnosis and discuss your options
- Provide a cost estimate for the root canal and any crown
- Explain insurance and financing options
Call us today at 847-610-9272 or schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a pain-free smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an endodontist do?
An endodontist is a dental specialist who diagnoses tooth pain and treats the soft pulp and nerves inside the tooth. At Lincolnwood Family Dental, our endodontist, Dr. Mahmoud Mona, performs root canal therapy, root canal retreatment and endodontic surgery to save natural teeth.
What is the difference between a dentist and an endodontist?
Every endodontist is a dentist, but an endodontist completes two to three more years of specialty training after dental school. According to the American Association of Endodontists, endodontists perform about 25 root canals a week, while general dentists typically perform about two.
When should I see an endodontist instead of my regular dentist?
See an endodontist if you have a severe or lingering toothache, pain when biting, swelling near a tooth, a cracked or injured tooth, or a tooth that was treated before and hurts again. Because our endodontist works in the same office as our general dentists, you can be seen without an outside referral.
Is a root canal by an endodontist painful?
With modern techniques and local anesthesia, most patients say a root canal feels similar to having a filling. Our endodontist works carefully to keep you comfortable, and the treatment relieves the pain caused by the infection. Mild tenderness for a few days afterward is normal.
How much does an endodontist charge for a root canal?
Cost depends on the tooth and how complex it is. In the Chicago area, root canals by an endodontist typically range from about $900 for a front tooth to $2,400 for a molar, before insurance. We give you an exact estimate at your visit, and 0% financing is available through CareCredit.
Does dental insurance cover an endodontist visit?
Most PPO plans cover part of endodontic treatment, including root canals. Every plan is different, so our team will check your benefits and explain what you’ll owe before treatment begins.
