Relieve tooth pain and save your tooth with a root canal
Deep inside every tooth is a soft core called the pulp, made up of nerves and blood vessels. When a deep cavity or a crack reaches that pulp, bacteria can get in and cause inflammation or infection — and that is usually when a tooth starts to ache. Left alone, the infection can spread to the bone around the root and put your neighboring healthy teeth at risk.
Root canal therapy removes the damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it so it can keep working for years to come. It is one of the most reliable ways to keep your natural tooth rather than having it pulled and replaced. Root canals have a reputation for being painful, but the treatment is designed to relieve pain, not cause it — and our team takes extra care to keep you relaxed from start to finish. It’s part of why so many neighbors trust us as their dentist in Round Rock.
How do I know if I might need a root canal?
Only an exam and X-rays can confirm whether the pulp of a tooth is infected, but these warning signs are worth a call to our office:
- A persistent toothache — pain that lingers, throbs or wakes you up at night.
- Sensitivity to heat and cold — especially discomfort that lasts after the hot or cold food is gone.
- A darkened or discolored tooth — a sign the nerve inside may be damaged.
- A loose tooth — infection can weaken the bone that supports the root.
- A chipped, cracked or broken tooth — damage can open a pathway for bacteria to reach the pulp.
Don’t delay — an infected tooth won’t heal on its own
Once infection reaches the nerve and pulp, it does not go away by itself. Pain may come and go, but the infection keeps working beneath the surface and can lead to an abscess, bone loss or the loss of the tooth altogether. Treating it early usually means a simpler procedure and a better chance of saving the tooth.
If you have a severe toothache or swelling, please call as early in the day as possible. We offer emergency dental appointments and will do our best to see you the same day when possible, and root canal procedures are among the services available during our Saturday emergency care hours.
Root canal treatment, step by step
- 01
Exam & digital X-rays
We find the source of your pain with a careful exam and digital X-rays, and 3D CBCT imaging when we need a closer look at the roots and surrounding bone.
- 02
Comfortable numbing
Modern local anesthesia numbs the tooth and the area around it, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain during treatment.
- 03
Cleaning & shaping
The infected or inflamed pulp is gently removed, and the canals inside the root are cleaned, shaped and disinfected.
- 04
Filling & sealing
The cleaned canals are filled and sealed to keep bacteria out, and the tooth is closed with a filling to protect it from future infection.
- 05
Protective restoration
Many back teeth need a crown after a root canal to protect them from cracking. We’ll let you know whether your tooth needs one.
- 06
Healthy habits
Brushing, flossing and regular checkups help prevent new decay and keep your restored tooth healthy for the long term.
Root canal care from an endodontist, in our Round Rock office
An endodontist is a dentist who completes additional post-graduate training focused on the inside of the tooth — diagnosing tooth pain and performing root canal therapy. At Chandler Creek Dental Care, Dr. Faiza Ali brings that training to our practice, so many patients can have their root canal handled by our own team instead of being referred to another office.
After dental school, Dr. Ali completed a post-graduate endodontic residency and earned her Doctor of Science in Dentistry (DScD) at Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. She is board-eligible, has published research on oral cancer and osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and has received two awards for her research work.
Dr. Ravneet Kaur, our general, restorative and cosmetic dentist, works alongside Dr. Ali to diagnose problems early and complete the final restoration — so your care stays coordinated in one familiar place.
Root canal vs. extraction: why saving your tooth matters
Keep your natural tooth
Nothing looks, feels or chews quite like your own tooth. A root canal lets you keep it instead of living with a gap.
Protect your bite
When a tooth is removed, neighboring teeth can drift into the space. Saving the tooth helps keep your bite stable.
Avoid replacement steps
Replacing an extracted tooth usually means an implant or bridge. Saving the tooth can spare you that extra treatment.
Relief from infection
Removing the infected pulp eliminates the source of pain and stops the infection from spreading to the surrounding bone.
Root canal cost and payment options in Round Rock
The cost of root canal treatment depends on which tooth is involved, how many canals it has and whether you need a crown afterward. Before we begin, we explain the recommended treatment, what it costs and your payment options so there are no surprises.
We’re in-network with Delta Dental, MetLife, Cigna, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare, and offer financing through CareCredit, Sunbit, Alphaeon, Proceed Finance and Cherry. Patients without insurance can join our in-house membership plan or start with our $89 emergency exam. If you need a crown after treatment, learn more about dental crowns.
Benefits of root canal treatment at Chandler Creek Dental Care
- Root canal care from an endodontist in our Round Rock office
- Modern anesthesia for a comfortable, gentle experience
- Saves your natural tooth instead of extracting it
- Digital X-rays and 3D CBCT imaging for accurate diagnosis
- Emergency and Saturday appointments for painful teeth
- Insurance help, flexible financing and a membership plan
Why choose our Round Rock dentists for root canal treatment?
Patients across Round Rock, Teravista, Forest Creek, Georgetown and Hutto choose Chandler Creek Dental Care because three experienced doctors work side by side under one roof — so implants, extractions, root canals and everyday dentistry stay with one team you know. We offer oral and IV sedation for anxious patients, Saturday appointments on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, and a 4.9-star Google rating from 236 patients. Learn why families call us their trusted dentist in Round Rock, TX, or meet our doctors.
