ServicesRoot Canals
Root Canals in Hickory Creek
A root canal clears infection from inside a tooth so you can keep it. We take X-rays, tell you plainly if the tooth can be saved and lay out the cost before we start. Most patients say it feels a lot like getting a filling.
Keep the Tooth You Have
Inside every tooth is soft tissue called the pulp. It holds the nerve and blood supply. When deep decay, a crack or an old filling lets bacteria reach it, the pulp gets inflamed or dies. That is when you feel the throbbing ache, or the swelling at the gum line.
A root canal removes that damaged tissue, cleans and shapes the canals, and seals them. Then the tooth gets a crown so it can handle chewing again. Your natural tooth stays in place, which keeps your bite and the bone around it healthy.
Our dentist brings over 10 years of experience in general and implant dentistry. That matters here, because some teeth are worth saving and some are not. We will tell you which one you have.
What Your Root Canal Includes
- Exam and digital X-rays
- We look at the tooth, test how it reacts to cold and pressure, and take X-rays. If the roots are curved or the infection looks spread out, a CBCT scan gives us a 3D view.
- A straight answer on saving it
- If a crack runs down into the root or there is not enough tooth left, a root canal will not last. We say so and walk you through other options, like an extraction.
- Numbing and cleaning the canals
- We numb the area well and check it before we begin. Then we remove the infected pulp, clean each canal and fill it with a rubber-like material that seals out bacteria.
- Temporary filling
- You leave with a temporary filling that protects the tooth while it settles.
- Crown to finish the job
- A tooth with a root canal gets brittle over time, especially back teeth. A crown covers it and keeps it from splitting when you chew.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Pain that lingers after hot or cold
A quick zing is common. Pain that hangs on for 30 seconds or more after a cold drink often means the nerve is in trouble.
A toothache that wakes you up
Throbbing pain at night, or pain that comes on with no trigger, is a sign the pulp is inflamed.
Swelling or a pimple on the gum
A small bump near the root that drains is an abscess. It may not hurt much, but the infection is still there.
Tooth turning dark
A tooth that turns gray after a bump or fall may have a dying nerve inside.
Pain when you bite down
Soreness when chewing can point to infection at the tip of the root or a crack.
What Changes the Cost
We give you the full cost before treatment starts, including the crown. That way you can plan for it, check your benefits and pick a payment option. Here is what moves the number.
Which tooth it is
A front tooth with one canal is simpler than a molar with three or four. More canals means more time.
How far the infection has gone
An early case is more direct. An abscess or curved roots can add time or a CBCT scan.
The crown and buildup
Most treated teeth need a core buildup and a crown. These are part of the total, so we list them up front.
Retreating an old root canal
Redoing a root canal done years ago means removing the old filling material first, which takes more work.
Your insurance plan
We are in-network with 15+ major PPO dental insurance plans. We check what your plan covers so you know your part before you sit down.
How Treatment Day Goes
- 1
Get numb and comfortable
We numb the tooth and wait until it is fully numb. A thin rubber sheet keeps the tooth dry and clean while we work.
- 2
Clean out the canals
We make a small opening in the top of the tooth, remove the damaged pulp and clean each canal. Front teeth often have one canal. Molars can have three or four, so they take longer.
- 3
Seal and fill
The canals are filled and sealed, and a temporary filling goes on top. Most visits run about one to two hours.
- 4
Heal, then crown
Expect some tenderness for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relief usually handles it. We then place your crown at a follow-up visit.
Root Canal Questions
Does a root canal hurt?
The treatment itself should feel like a long filling. The infection is what hurts, and the root canal takes that pain away. You may be sore for a few days after, which most people manage with over-the-counter pain relief.
Why not just pull the tooth?
Sometimes that is the right call, and we will tell you. But a missing tooth lets the teeth next to it drift and the bone shrink. Replacing it later with dental implants or a bridge often costs more than saving it now.
What if the tooth can't be saved?
Then we talk about an extraction and how to replace the tooth. Many patients choose dental implants. Our implant warranty covers a replacement if the implant fails during the 4-month healing phase, so that part of the plan is spelled out before you start.
Do I really need a crown afterward?
For back teeth, almost always. Once the pulp is gone, the tooth dries out and gets brittle. Without a crown, it can crack, and a cracked tooth often can't be saved a second time.
I don't have insurance. How can I pay?
We offer an in-house Membership Plan for uninsured patients. There is also 0% interest financing for up to 24 months, and checking for preapproval has no credit score impact.
How do I get started?
Book a $25 Focused Evaluation by phone. It covers a comprehensive exam, digital X-rays, a CBCT scan if needed, and treatment planning and consultation. You leave knowing what the tooth needs and what it will cost.
Find Out If Your Tooth Can Be Saved
A tooth that aches a little now usually aches more later. Get it looked at while you still have choices, with patients welcome from Hickory Creek, Lake Dallas, Corinth and nearby towns.