Crowns & Bridges
Cracked, worn or heavily filled teeth get a strong, natural-looking crown. Missing a tooth? A bridge closes the gap.
Read More about Crowns & BridgesRoot Canal Treatment for All Teeth, Including Molars
Root canals have a scary reputation. In reality, they relieve pain and let you keep your natural tooth.
Endodontic Care
Feel better and save the tooth.
Inside every tooth is soft tissue called the pulp. When deep decay, a crack or an old injury lets bacteria reach it, the pulp gets inflamed or infected. That is usually when the throbbing starts.
A root canal removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it. The pain goes away, and you keep a tooth that works far better than any replacement.
Many offices refer molar root canals out to a specialist. Dr. Patel treats all teeth, including molars, in our own office, so you do not have to start over somewhere new.
Dr. Nisha Patel, DDS
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry · 19+ years of practice
Warning Signs
You may need a root canal if you notice:
Not every toothache means a root canal, but these signs are worth a call.
Lingering Pain
A toothache that throbs, wakes you up at night, or hurts long after hot or cold food is gone.
Swelling or a Pimple on the Gum
A bump on the gum near a tooth, swelling in the face, or a bad taste can mean an abscess. Call us right away.
A Darkened or Cracked Tooth
A tooth that has turned gray after an injury, or one that hurts sharply when you bite, may have a damaged nerve.
What happens during a root canal
- Numbing. We make sure the tooth is completely numb before we start. Most patients say it feels like getting a filling.
- Cleaning. Dr. Patel makes a small opening, removes the infected pulp and cleans each canal.
- Sealing. The canals are filled and sealed to keep bacteria out.
- Protecting. Back teeth usually need a crown afterward to protect them from cracking.
Treatment usually takes one or two visits depending on the tooth and the infection.
After your root canal
It is normal for the tooth to feel tender for a few days. Chew on the other side until your final crown is placed. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually all you need. If you have swelling that gets worse, call us.
Root canal or extraction?
Saving your natural tooth is almost always the better choice when it is possible. Pulling a tooth leaves a gap that usually needs a dental implant or bridge later. If a tooth is too damaged to save, we will tell you honestly and walk you through your options, including extraction.
Frequently asked questions
Is a root canal painful?
The procedure itself is done with the tooth fully numb and usually feels similar to a filling. Most of the pain people associate with root canals is from the infection before treatment.
Do you do root canals on molars?
Yes. Dr. Patel performs root canal treatment on all teeth, including molars, at both our Sugar Land and Houston offices.
Will I need a crown after a root canal?
Back teeth almost always need a crown afterward because they take heavy chewing forces. Front teeth sometimes only need a filling.
How long does a root canal take?
Most root canals are done in one or two visits of about an hour to an hour and a half each.
Two offices, one dentist. Root Canal Treatment is available at our Sugar Land office (12921 West Bellfort Ave, (281) 240-1177) and our Houston office (12861 Gulf Freeway, (281) 922-1919). Walk-ins welcome, free parking at both.
Related Care
Other services you may need.
Most patients need more than one kind of care over the years. Here is where to go next.
Emergency & Walk-In Care
Toothache, swelling, a broken tooth or a lost crown? Call us first. Walk-ins are welcome at both offices.
Read More about Emergency & Walk-In Care
Extractions & Oral Surgery
Simple and surgical extractions, wisdom teeth removal and bone grafting, done in the same familiar office.
Read More about Extractions & Oral SurgeryDealing with tooth pain?
Do not wait it out. Call us and we will see you as soon as possible.
Contact Us
Book your visit today.
Call the office closest to you or send us a message. Our team replies within one business day.