Root Canal Therapy in Fort Worth, TX
Save your natural tooth and stop the pain. Modern root canal therapy is far more comfortable than its reputation - $899 self-pay, often single-visit.
When the inside of a tooth is infected.
A root canal is needed when the pulp inside your tooth - the soft tissue with nerves and blood vessels - becomes infected from deep decay, trauma, or repeated dental work. Untreated, the infection spreads into the jawbone.
The procedure removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the inner canals, and seals them with a biocompatible filling. Modern techniques and anesthetic make it no more uncomfortable than a routine filling.
Why patients choose Root Canals.
Saves your natural tooth
Almost always the right first call when a tooth's pulp is infected. Your own tooth outperforms any replacement.
Stops the pain immediately
Most patients walk out pain-free - the infected nerve causing the toothache is gone.
Often single-visit
For straightforward cases (front teeth, single-canal premolars), we complete treatment in a single appointment.
Modern, comfortable
Effective local anesthetic, rotary instrumentation, and clear sequencing - far different from the procedure of 20 years ago.
How a root canal works.
01Numb & access
Local anesthetic numbs the area completely. We create a small opening in the top of the tooth to reach the infected pulp.
02Clean the canals
Specialized rotary instruments remove the infected pulp tissue from each root canal. Disinfecting solutions clear bacteria.
03Seal the canals
A biocompatible filling material (gutta-percha) is placed in each cleaned canal, sealed with a small filling on top. The infection has nowhere to return to.
04Crown placement
A few weeks later, we place a custom zirconia crown to protect the now-brittle tooth from cracking under chewing force. This step is essential for long-term success.
$899 - root canal therapy
Includes diagnostic imaging, local anesthetic, full root canal procedure, and a temporary filling. For uninsured patients. A crown ($899 separately) is needed afterward to protect the tooth long-term. Insurance typically covers a substantial portion of both.
What to expect after your root canal.
Most patients are surprised by how straightforward recovery is.
01Day of treatment
The intense pain that brought you in is gone immediately. Mild soreness is normal as anesthetic wears off. Over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen manages this comfortably. Avoid chewing on the treated side.
02Days 2 through 5
Any residual tenderness typically fades within three to five days. You can return to work the same day or next morning. If we placed a temporary filling, be gentle with that tooth.
- 03
Crown placement (2–3 weeks)
Return for your permanent zirconia crown — the most important step. A root-canal-treated tooth without a crown is significantly more likely to fracture. Call (817) 237-3232 immediately if you experience sharp pain, swelling, or fever.
Sedation for anxious patients.
Dr. Appiah and Dr. Patel offer two levels of sedation beyond standard local anesthetic so your root canal is completely comfortable.
- ✓Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
Inhaled through a small mask, helps you relax while staying fully awake. Wears off within minutes — you can drive yourself home. Available same-day. - ✓Oral sedation
A prescription medication taken before your appointment for deep relaxation. Requires advance planning. You will need someone to drive you.
Root Canals questions, answered.
Tap a question to expand the answer.
Are root canals as painful as I've heard?
No - that reputation is decades out of date. Modern root canals are typically no more uncomfortable than a routine filling. The tooth was painful BEFORE treatment; the procedure relieves that pain.
How long does the procedure take?
60-90 minutes for single-canal teeth, up to 2 hours for multi-canal molars. Most cases are completed in a single visit; very complex multi-canal cases may need 2 visits.
Why do I need a crown after a root canal?
A root-canal-treated tooth becomes more brittle without the inner pulp. A crown protects it from cracking under chewing force. Skipping the crown often leads to tooth fracture within 1-2 years - and then the tooth is lost anyway.
How long does a root canal last?
A properly-treated and crowned root canal commonly lasts the rest of your life. Success rates are 95%+ for first-time treatment.
Wouldn't pulling the tooth be cheaper?
Short-term, slightly. Long-term, no - replacing a missing tooth (with an implant or bridge) costs significantly more than saving the original. And no replacement matches a healthy natural tooth.
What if the root canal fails later?
5% or so of root canals develop late infections. Retreatment by an endodontic specialist is usually possible. In the rare case retreatment fails, the tooth can still be extracted and replaced with an implant.
What should I expect after a root canal?
Most patients are surprised by how straightforward recovery is. The intense pain that brought you in is gone immediately. Mild soreness for 24-48 hours is managed with over-the-counter pain medication. You can return to work the same day or next morning. Within two to three weeks, you will return for your permanent zirconia crown.
Do you offer sedation for root canals?
Yes. In addition to local anesthetic, we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation for anxious patients. Nitrous is available same-day. Oral sedation requires advance planning so we can prescribe medication before your visit.
Can I get a same-day emergency root canal?
In many cases, yes. We reserve same-day emergency slots every day for patients in acute pain. If you are experiencing a severe toothache, swelling, or sensitivity to heat, call us at (817) 237-3232 and we will do our best to see you that day.
What does insurance typically cover for a root canal?
Most PPO dental plans cover 50% to 80% of root canal therapy. We are in-network with Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and others. For uninsured patients, our self-pay rate is $899.
Related Services
Endodontic Dentistry \u00B7 Crowns \u00B7 Oral Sedation \u00B7 Emergency Dentist in Fort Worth, TX
Book your visit today.
New patients welcome. Most PPO insurance accepted. Same-day emergency appointments available.