Root canals have an undeserved reputation. The procedure doesn't cause pain, it relieves it. At Park Central Dental, Dr. Mazin Nakhleh, Dr. Laura Fisher, and Dr. Shohreh Sharifi perform root canal therapy to eliminate the infection causing your pain, save your natural tooth from extraction, and restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile without discomfort.

If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, sensitivity, or swelling, call 214-340-9696 now. Same-day appointments are available for dental emergencies.

What is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy, also called endodontic treatment, is a procedure that removes the infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth, cleans and disinfects the root canals, and seals the tooth to prevent reinfection.

The pulp is the soft tissue at the center of each tooth containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When bacteria reach the pulp through a deep cavity, crack, or trauma, infection sets in. Left untreated, the infection spreads to the surrounding bone and can cause an abscess, a painful, potentially serious condition that may require emergency dental care.

Root canal therapy stops the infection at its source, saves the tooth, and eliminates the pain. Once treated, the tooth is capped with a dental crown to restore its full strength and function.

Do I Need a Root Canal? Common Signs and Symptoms

The pulp can become infected or inflamed without obvious symptoms in the early stages — which is one reason regular dental exams matter. When symptoms do appear, they typically include:

  • Severe, persistent toothache — especially pain that throbs or intensifies when you bite down
  • Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold — lasting more than a few seconds after the stimulus is removed
  • Darkening of the tooth — discoloration that develops over weeks or months
  • Swelling of the gum around the affected tooth, sometimes with a small pimple-like bump (called a fistula)
  • Swelling of the face or jaw
  • Pus drainage around the tooth
  • A tooth that was previously treated — retreatment may be needed if an older root canal fails

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, do not wait. Dental infections do not resolve on their own and worsen without treatment. Call 214-340-9696 today or contact us online.

What Causes Pulp Infection?

The pulp becomes infected or inflamed when bacteria penetrate the outer layers of the tooth. Common causes include:

  • Deep tooth decay — untreated cavities that reach the pulp chamber
  • Cracked or fractured teeth — fractures create pathways for bacteria even when decay is not present
  • Trauma or injury — a knocked or chipped tooth can damage the pulp without breaking the surface
  • Repeated dental procedures — multiple procedures on the same tooth over time can stress the pulp
  • Faulty or failing restorations — a dental filling that breaks down allows bacteria to reach deeper layers

Maintaining routine preventive care with dental cleanings every six months and dental exams allows our team to catch decay and cracks early, before they reach the pulp and before a root canal becomes necessary.

The Root Canal Procedure: Step by Step

Most root canals at Park Central Dental are completed in one to two appointments. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, you should feel pressure but not pain. Patients with dental anxiety can request oral sedation, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation to remain completely comfortable throughout.

Step 1 — Diagnosis & Anesthesia: Our dentist takes digital X-rays to assess the extent of the infection and the anatomy of the root canals. Local anesthesia is administered to fully numb the tooth and surrounding tissue. A rubber dam is placed around the tooth to keep it clean and dry during the procedure.

Step 2 — Access & Pulp Removal: A small opening is made in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp chamber. Using specialized instruments, our dentist carefully removes all infected and damaged pulp tissue from the pulp chamber and each root canal.

Step 3 — Cleaning & Shaping: The root canals are cleaned, shaped, and irrigated with an antimicrobial solution to eliminate remaining bacteria and debris. This step is critical to preventing reinfection.

Step 4 — Sealing: The cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha, which seals the space and prevents bacteria from re-entering. A medicated material may also be placed to further prevent reinfection.

Step 5 — Crown Placement: A root canal-treated tooth becomes more brittle over time and is susceptible to fracture without protection. In most cases, a custom dental crown is placed over the tooth to restore its full strength, function, and appearance. The crown is typically placed at a follow-up appointment after the root canal is complete.

Benefits of Root Canal Therapy vs. Tooth Extraction

When a tooth is severely infected, some patients ask whether extraction is a simpler solution. In almost every case, saving the natural tooth with a root canal is the better long-term outcome:

Saves your natural tooth: Natural teeth are always preferable to replacements. A saved tooth maintains your bite, preserves the surrounding bone, and eliminates the need for a dental implant, bridge, or denture to fill the gap.

Prevents bone loss: When a tooth is extracted, the jawbone beneath it begins to resorb, shrinking over time without a root to stimulate it. Root canal therapy preserves the tooth root and the bone around it.

More cost-effective long-term: A root canal and crown costs more upfront than a simple extraction, but extraction followed by an implant to replace the tooth typically costs significantly more in total. Saving the tooth is usually the more economical path over a 10–15 year horizon.

Immediate pain relief: Most patients report significant pain relief within 24–48 hours of their root canal as the source of the infection is eliminated.

High success rate: Root canal therapy has a success rate exceeding 95% when properly performed and followed by a crown. Many treated teeth last a lifetime.

Root Canal Therapy vs. Tooth Extraction: When Is Extraction the Right Choice?

Root canal therapy is not always possible. Extraction may be the appropriate recommendation when:

  • The tooth is fractured below the gumline and cannot be structurally restored
  • Bone loss around the tooth is so severe that it cannot be stabilized
  • The root canals are calcified or anatomically inaccessible
  • The tooth has failed a previous root canal and retreatment is not viable

In these cases, our team will discuss tooth extraction followed by a dental implant or All-on-4® as the next steps to restore your smile. Our goal is always to give you the most honest recommendation for your specific situation, not the most convenient one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are root canals painful?

‍No, root canals relieve pain, they don't cause it. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and most patients report feeling only pressure during treatment. Any soreness in the day or two following the procedure is manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. The pain you feel before a root canal, from the infection, is far worse than the procedure itself.

Can I drive myself home after a root canal?

If local anesthesia only was used, yes, you can drive yourself. If you chose oral sedation or IV sedation, you will need a responsible adult to drive you home and should not operate a vehicle for 24 hours.

How long does a root canal-treated tooth last?

With proper restoration, typically a crown, and good oral hygiene including routine dental cleanings, a root canal-treated tooth can last a lifetime. The crown itself typically lasts 10–15 years before potential replacement.

What if I delay treatment?

Dental infections do not heal on their own. Delaying treatment allows the infection to spread to the surrounding bone, neighboring teeth, and potentially the jaw and neck, a serious and sometimes life-threatening complication. Early treatment produces the best outcomes and the lowest cost. If you are in pain, call us today.

Schedule Your Root Canal Consultation in Dallas

Don't let tooth pain or infection go untreated. Call 214-340-9696 now, same-day appointments are available for patients in pain. You can also request an appointment online, explore our full restorative dentistry services, or meet our dental team before your visit.