Root Canal Therapy in Houston, TX
If a dentist has told you that you need a root canal, you're probably picturing something more painful than what actually happens. Modern root canal therapy is a routine, comfortable procedure that saves a damaged tooth and relieves the pain caused by the infection. It's no longer the difficult procedure it's often assumed to be. At New Smiles Dental Implant Center, we perform root canal therapy in Houston, TX, so you can keep an affected tooth instead of losing it.
What Is a Root Canal?
Inside each tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp. It is made of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This pulp can become infected or inflamed, resulting in severe pain and, if left untreated, an abscess or tooth loss. This is usually caused by deep decay, a crack, or repeated dental work on the same tooth.
Root canals clean out the inside of a tooth, remove the infected pulp, and seal it to prevent it from being infected again. The tooth is then usually capped with a crown to restore its strength and function. The result is a tooth that stays in your mouth, functions normally, and avoids extraction.
Signs You Might Need a Root Canal
Not every toothache means you need a root canal, but a few symptoms are worth getting checked out sooner rather than later:
Pain when you bite or chew that is sharp or throbbing
Continued sensitivity to hot or cold that doesn't go away fast
Swollen or tender gums around one particular tooth
A tooth that is discolored or darkened
A small pimple-like bump on the gum near the tooth that keeps returning
Sometimes there's no pain at all, and the issue only shows up on an X-ray during a routine exam. Either way, catching it early usually means a simpler treatment and a better outcome for the tooth.
Need Dental Appointment?
What to Expect During Treatment
Root canal therapy has a reputation that doesn't match the actual experience anymore. Here's what the visit typically looks like:
Exam and X-ray: We take digital X-rays to see the extent of the infection and confirm a root canal is the right call before doing anything else.
Numbing the Area: We thoroughly numb the tooth and surrounding gum, so you shouldn't feel pain during the procedure itself.
Removing the Infected Pulp: We access the inside of the tooth, remove the damaged tissue, and clean out the canals.
Sealing the Tooth: Once it's cleaned, the space is filled and sealed to keep bacteria out.
Restoring the Tooth: Most root canal-treated teeth need a crown afterward to protect the tooth and restore full chewing strength.
Most patients report the procedure feels similar to getting a filling; some soreness for a day or two afterward is normal, but it's manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
Root Canal vs. Extraction
When a tooth is badly infected, patients sometimes assume pulling it is the simpler option. In most cases, it isn't the better option. Saving your natural tooth with a root canal keeps your bite aligned, avoids shifting of neighboring teeth, and avoids the added cost and time of replacing the tooth later with a dental implant or bridge.
Extraction is sometimes necessary if the tooth is too damaged to save, but it's typically the last option, not the first one we recommend.
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Schedule Your Appointment Today
An infected tooth doesn’t get better on its own, and waiting usually makes treatment more complicated. We offer root canal therapy in Houston, TX, to save your tooth from extraction. Call us today for an appointment.