Root Canal Therapy
It has a worse reputation than it deserves. Done properly it ends the pain and saves the tooth.
What it is
When decay or a crack reaches the nerve inside a tooth, that nerve becomes inflamed or infected — and that is the pain that keeps people awake. A root canal removes the nerve, cleans the inside of the tooth and seals it.
The reputation comes from a time before modern anaesthetic. For most people now it feels much like having a filling done: pressure, time, and not much else.
The alternative is usually losing the tooth. Keeping your own tooth is nearly always worth the appointment.
What happens when you come in
- Numb it properlyThis is the part that matters most, and we don't start until you're comfortable. If you feel anything, say so.
- Clean the insideThe nerve is removed and the canals are cleaned out. This is the long part — bring headphones if it helps.
- Seal itThe inside is filled and sealed so nothing can get back in.
- Protect the toothA treated tooth is more brittle and usually needs a crown afterwards. We'll explain the timing.
This might be for you if
- You have severe or throbbing pain in one tooth
- Hot and cold set off pain that lingers after they're gone
- There's swelling or tenderness around one tooth
- You've been told the tooth needs to come out and want to try to keep it
None of this is a diagnosis — it’s just what tends to bring people in. If you’re not sure whether it applies to you, call and ask.
Questions people ask
Is it as bad as people say?
For most people, no. It's a longer appointment than a filling and it feels broadly similar. The pain people associate with root canals is usually the pain that sent them in.
How many visits?
It depends on the tooth and how much infection there is. We'll tell you what we expect before we start, and tell you if that changes.
Do I definitely need a crown after?
Usually, because the tooth becomes more brittle once the nerve is gone — especially a back tooth you chew on. We'll explain why for your particular tooth rather than as a rule.
What it costs
We can’t put a number on this page honestly — it depends on your mouth and your plan. What we can tell you is how it works: we look first, we explain what we think you need, and you get the cost in writing before anything starts. We don’t begin work you haven’t agreed to, and we won’t pressure you into treatment you don’t need.
We're out of network with all insurances. We do file your claims as a courtesy, so the paperwork isn't left to you — but what your plan pays back is between you and them, and we won't guess at a number. Bring your plan and we'll tell you what we know before anything starts.
CareCredit and Sunbit are available if you’d rather spread the cost. If you’d like to ask before you come in, call (903) 856-6688.
Ready when you are
We’ll greet you by name, explain things clearly, and never rush you.