A root canal is a way to save a tooth that would otherwise be lost. It is a treatment for a tooth whose inner pulp — the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels — has become infected or inflamed, usually from deep decay, a crack, or repeated dental work. The dentist removes the damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, then seals it. In many cases a crown is placed afterward to protect what remains.

The question we ask first, though, is a different one:

“Does this tooth actually need it yet or can the underlying cause be addressed so more of the natural tooth is saved?”

A root canal isn’t your only option.  It’s just the one most people are given.

Traditional dentistry often leans on aggressive drilling and bulk repairs that, over time, weaken a tooth and set up the next problem. Biomimetic dentistry takes the opposite approach: we work with the tooth’s natural structure instead of against it, using modern adhesion science to preserve and reinforce what nature built.

Every recommendation at Deering Dental runs through our SystemicSmile Protocol™. Our system for catching and correcting problems while they’re small, before they cascade into root canals and crowns. (Learn more about how we prevent major work on our High Performance Prevention page.)

In practice, that means:

• Find the cause early — fracture-risk checks, saliva testing, and bite-force analysis catch trouble before it reaches the nerve.
• Preserve the natural tooth — layered, fiber-reinforced bonding replaces aggressive drilling and bulk fillings.
• Seal it to last — moisture-controlled adhesives create durable seals that resist the cracks and leaks that lead to infection.
• Stop the repeat failures — we correct damaging bite forces and the habits that quietly wear teeth down.

The goal isn’t only to avoid this root canal. It’s to make it less likely you ever need one — so you keep your own teeth, healthy, for life.

If you’ve been told you need a root canal elsewhere, a second opinion can change everything. Dr. Pinto will review your situation honestly and tell you the truth:

• If the tooth can be saved with a more conservative approach, we’ll show you how.
• If a root canal really is your best option, you’ll understand exactly why and you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing it wasn’t avoidable.

A second opinion answers the one-tooth question. But a root canal rarely travels alone.

People who need one often have other issues developing elsewhere — so if you already suspect there’s more going on than a single tooth, the smarter starting point is a full new-guest exam. Because if the foundation is cracking, it doesn’t make sense to look only at the leaky pipe.

If a root canal is genuinely the right call, we won’t talk you out of it. We’ll make sure it’s done right.

We refer you to a trusted, Dr. Pinto–vetted root canal specialist (an endodontist) for the procedure itself, so it’s in expert hands. Afterward, we restore the tooth in-house using biomimetic principles — typically with a conservative onlay that preserves more of your natural tooth, and a full crown only when it’s the one viable option. And we’ll build you a plan to protect the rest of your teeth, so a little attention now saves you a great deal later.

Can a root canal really be avoided? Often, yes — depending on the specifics of your case. Because biomimetic dentistry preserves more of the natural tooth and addresses the underlying cause, we’ve seen root canals in our own practice fall by 86.5% since adopting the approach. A second opinion is the only way to know for sure whether yours is avoidable.

Do biomimetic dentists still perform root canals? Yes — when a root canal is genuinely necessary, it’s the right treatment. When one is needed, we refer to a trusted endodontist we’ve vetted personally, then restore the tooth ourselves using biomimetic techniques designed to keep it strong for as long as possible. We don’t recommend a root canal until we’re confident it’s the right answer.

Will I need a crown after a root canal? Sometimes. A crown adds strength and protects the restored tooth so it lasts. In other cases, biomimetic restoration alone is enough — we’ll explain which applies to you and why.

What does a second opinion involve? It’s a focused, honest evaluation of the tooth in question — a look at whether you truly need the root canal you’ve been told you need, and whether a more conservative approach could save the tooth instead. You’ll leave understanding your real options, with no pressure either way.

How is Deering Dental different from a regular dentist for this? We’re a biomimetic and functional practice focused on conservative, minimally invasive care. Rather than patch and hope, we measure, fix the cause, and prevent — which is why we’re able to help so many people keep their natural teeth with less invasive work over time.

Deering Dental works best for people who already think about health this way:

• They value prevention over reaction
• They understand that the body’s systems don’t work in isolation
• They want ongoing monitoring, not one-off visits
• They’re willing to do things differently to protect long-term health

If you’re looking for insurance-driven dentistry or quick fixes, there are many practices better suited for that.

“When other dentists recommended a root canal, Dr. Pinto successfully preserved my tooth. I have been a patient here ever since.” — K. Axmann (Google)

“They fully believe in preserving as much of the original tooth as possible and will do whatever they can to help you keep it before drilling.“ — A. Dubna (Google)

“Today, Dr. Pinto saved my wisdom tooth. They showed me how close I was to needing a root canal. I avoided it. I’m so grateful.” — Calvin G. (Google)