Root Canal Therapy in Houston, TX

Root Canals Done Here, Including Molars

Dr. Harsh Patel does root canals right here in our Westheimer office, on front teeth, premolars and back molars. For most patients that means no referral and no second office across town. If we need a closer look at the roots, we have a 3D scan (CBCT) in the office.

Signs You May Need a Root Canal

• A toothache that lingers after hot or cold food and drinks
• Pain when you bite down or chew on one side
• A toothache that wakes you up at night
• Swelling in your gum or face, or a pimple-like bump on the gum
• A tooth that has turned darker than the teeth next to it
• A deep cavity or a cracked tooth that has started to hurt

Not every toothache means a root canal. Sometimes a filling or a crown is enough. The only way to know is an exam and an X-ray.

What Happens During a Root Canal

1. Exam and X-rays. We find the problem tooth and explain your options and the cost before anything starts.
2. Numbing. We numb the tooth and the area around it so you stay comfortable. Most people feel pressure, not sharp pain.
3. Cleaning the inside of the tooth. We remove the infected nerve tissue and clean and shape the small canals inside the root.
4. Sealing. We fill and seal the canals so bacteria can’t get back in.
5. Protecting the tooth. Back teeth usually need a crown after a root canal so they don’t crack when you chew. We’ll tell you if yours does.

Almost all of our root canals are done the same day, in one visit.

After Your Root Canal

• The tooth and gum can feel sore for a few days. An over-the-counter pain reliever, taken as directed, usually helps.
• Avoid chewing hard foods on that side until your final filling or crown is done.
• Brush and floss normally.
• Call us at (713) 952-0522 if swelling gets worse, you get a fever, or the pain gets stronger instead of better.

Root Canal or Pulling the Tooth?

Pulling a tooth can cost less on the day, but it leaves a gap. Nearby teeth can shift into that space and your bite can change. Replacing a missing tooth later with a bridge, a partial or an implant crown usually costs more than saving the tooth now. When a tooth can be saved, a root canal is usually the better choice. If it can’t be saved, we’ll tell you honestly and talk through extraction.

Cost, Insurance and Payment

• We accept most PPO plans and many Medicare Advantage plans. Most PPO plans cover part of a root canal. We check your benefits and give you the cost before we start.
• Paying yourself? Start with our $59 emergency exam, which includes a panoramic X-ray and a single-tooth X-ray (self-pay price, not combined with insurance).
• Financing is available through CareCredit, Sunbit and Cherry.

Root Canal Questions

Does a root canal hurt?

We numb the tooth first, so most people feel pressure and vibration, not sharp pain. If you’re nervous, tell us. We can go step by step and take breaks.

Can I wait?

An infected tooth does not heal on its own. Waiting can let the infection spread, turn into an abscess, or make the tooth impossible to save. If you have swelling or a fever, call us the same day.

Do you do root canals on molars?

Yes. Dr. Patel does root canals on molars here in our office.

Can I come in today?

Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday, and we offer same-day emergency visits. We’re open Monday–Thursday 8 AM–5 PM and Friday 8 AM–3 PM at 9650 Westheimer Rd, Suite 100, next to Randall’s. Call or text (713) 952-0522. Hablamos español.