Root canal therapy with Dr. Nishit Patel
Keep your tooth. Treat the infection.
A root canal has a reputation it does not really deserve. For most patients, the treatment is what ends the toothache, not what causes it. At Outlook Dental on Eldorado Parkway, Dr. Nishit Patel uses root canal therapy to remove infection from inside a tooth so you can keep the tooth instead of losing it.
- Tooth throbbing or swollen? Same-day visits whenever possible
- 3D cone beam imaging
- Metal-free crowns when needed
What Is a Root Canal?
Inside every tooth is a soft core called the pulp, a bundle of nerves and blood vessels that runs down through the roots. Deep decay, a crack or an old injury can let bacteria reach the pulp. Once it is infected or inflamed, it cannot heal on its own, and the pain often gets worse.
Root canal treatment removes the damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it. The outer tooth stays in place and keeps doing its job.
Signs you may need a root canal
- A toothache that throbs, lingers or wakes you up at night
- Pain when you bite down or chew
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lasts after the food or drink is gone
- A tooth that has turned darker than the teeth around it
- Swollen, tender gums near one tooth, or a pimple-like bump on the gum
- A cracked or broken tooth that hurts
Some infected teeth cause no pain at all and only show up on an X-ray.
How Dr. Patel Finds the Problem
Dr. Patel starts with an exam and digital X-rays. For root canal therapy, he can also use 3D cone beam imaging, which shows the roots, canals and surrounding bone in three dimensions and helps him plan treatment.
What Happens During Treatment
Numbing
Dr. Patel numbs the tooth and the area around it with local anesthetic and checks that it has taken effect before he begins.
Isolating the tooth
A small protective sheet keeps the tooth clean and dry during treatment.
Cleaning
He makes a small opening in the chewing surface of the tooth, removes the infected pulp, then cleans and shapes the canals inside the roots.
Sealing
The canals are filled and sealed, and the opening is closed with a filling.
Treatment may take one visit or more than one, depending on the tooth and how much infection is present.
How Does It Feel?
Most patients tell us the treatment itself feels much like having a filling. With the tooth numb, you will usually feel pressure and movement rather than sharp pain. If you feel anxious about dental work, ask about nitrous oxide, which helps many patients with mild anxiety relax.
Afterward, it is common for the tooth and gum to feel tender or sore for a few days. Experiences vary from person to person, and Dr. Patel will tell you what to expect for your tooth.
Aftercare
- Wait until the numbness wears off before eating.
- Take any prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as directed.
- Avoid chewing hard foods on that tooth until it has its final crown or filling.
- Keep brushing and flossing normally, gently around the treated tooth.
- Call us if swelling or pain gets worse instead of better, if your bite feels uneven, or if a temporary filling comes out.
Why a Crown Often Follows
A tooth that needs a root canal has often been weakened by decay or a crack, and back teeth take heavy chewing forces. For that reason, many treated teeth, especially molars and premolars, need a crown to protect them from breaking.
Our crowns are metal-free, made from zirconia or EMAX and shaded to match your other teeth. We take impressions with a digital impression system, so there is no tray of cold putty. Dr. Patel will tell you whether your tooth needs a crown and when.
Root Canal or Extraction?
Saving the tooth
Keeping your natural tooth helps hold your other teeth in position and keeps your bite working as it should.
Removing the tooth
If a tooth is too broken or too badly infected to save, removing it may be the better option. It can be replaced with a dental implant (Dr. Patel places implants here in the office), a bridge or a denture.
You can read more on our tooth extraction and dental implants pages.
When Dr. Patel Refers to a Specialist
Some teeth are harder to treat than others: roots that are curved or calcified, a tooth that already had a root canal and needs retreatment, or an unusual canal shape. When a case calls for it, Dr. Patel refers you to an endodontist (a dentist who focuses on root canal treatment), and our team can help you set up the appointment.
Cost and Insurance
The cost of a root canal depends on which tooth is treated, how many canals it has, and whether it needs a crown afterward. Dr. Patel will go over your options and the estimated cost before treatment begins.
Insurance
We welcome PPO dental insurance plans and will help you understand your benefits. Coverage depends on your plan. See our dental insurance page.
No insurance
Ask about the Outlook Dental Wellness Plan, our in-house membership plan.
Financing
CareCredit and Sunbit can spread the cost into monthly payments, subject to approval.
Offers
For patients without dental insurance: see current offers.
Ready to find out what is going on with that tooth?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a root canal hurt?
Before treatment begins, Dr. Patel numbs the tooth with local anesthetic, so most patients feel pressure rather than sharp pain during the procedure. Many people find it feels similar to getting a filling. The tooth may be tender for a few days afterward, which over-the-counter pain relievers often help with. If you feel anxious, ask about nitrous oxide. Experiences vary.
How do I know if I need a root canal?
Common signs include a throbbing toothache, pain when you chew, sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers, a tooth that has darkened, or a swollen gum or pimple-like bump near one tooth. Some infected teeth cause no symptoms and only show up on an X-ray. The only way to know for sure is an exam and imaging, so call (945) 224-0070 to schedule a visit.
Will I need a crown after my root canal?
Many teeth do, especially molars and premolars, because a tooth that needed a root canal has often been weakened by decay or a crack. A crown protects it from breaking under chewing forces. Our crowns are metal-free, made from zirconia or EMAX and matched to your natural tooth color. Dr. Patel will let you know whether your tooth needs one.
Is it better to save the tooth or pull it?
When a tooth can be saved, keeping it usually helps your bite and keeps the teeth around it from shifting. If the tooth is too damaged or infected, removing it may be the better choice, followed by an implant, bridge or denture to fill the space. Dr. Patel will explain the options and trade-offs for your tooth so you can make an informed decision.
How much does a root canal cost?
It depends on which tooth needs treatment, how many canals it has, and whether a crown is needed afterward, so we give you an estimate after the exam rather than over the phone. We welcome PPO dental insurance plans, offer the Outlook Dental Wellness Plan for patients without insurance, and provide financing through CareCredit and Sunbit.
Tooth pain in McKinney? Call us.
Outlook Dental, 7820 W Eldorado Pkwy Suite 150, McKinney, TX 75070. Same-day appointments whenever possible.
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