Fort Worth, TX — Save Your Natural Tooth
Root Canals Are Comfortable. Not Scary.
Root canal treatment is one of the most misunderstood procedures in dentistry. The reality? It relieves pain — it doesn't cause it.
Dr. Marshall H. Brown performs gentle, anxiety-free non-surgical root canal therapy under local anaesthesia that saves your natural tooth and gets you back to your normal life the same day.
- Local Anaesthesia
- Nitrous Oxide Available
- ~90% Success Rate
- Drive Home After
The Truth About Root Canal Treatment
Root canals have an undeserved reputation. The facts tell a very different story — one where the procedure relieves your pain, saves your tooth, and sends you home the same day.
Myth: Root canals are extremely painful and something to dread. Fact: Root canal treatment is performed under local anaesthesia. You feel no pain. The procedure relieves the pain caused by the infection — it doesn't create it.
Myth: It's better to just pull the tooth than have a root canal. Fact: Saving your natural tooth is almost always the better option. Extraction leads to bone loss, shifting teeth, and the need for a costly implant or bridge.
Myth: You need multiple appointments and weeks of recovery. Fact: Many cases are completed in a single visit. You can drive home after treatment and typically return to your normal routine the very same day.
What Is a Root Canal — and Why Is It Needed?
A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed — well over 14 million every year. At the centre of every tooth is the pulp: a collection of blood vessels and nerves that helped build the surrounding tooth during development.
When the pulp becomes infected or damaged — due to trauma, deep decay, cracks, or repeated dental procedures — it must be treated to save the tooth. Without treatment, the infection spreads, the pain intensifies, and the tooth may eventually be lost entirely.
Non-surgical root canal therapy removes the diseased pulp, thoroughly cleans and seals the root canal system, and saves your natural tooth — preventing the need for a dental implant or bridge. This simple treatment can save your natural tooth and preserve your smile for decades to come.
Act quickly. An infected tooth does not heal on its own. The longer treatment is delayed, the greater the risk of the infection spreading to surrounding teeth and bone — and the higher the chance the tooth cannot be saved at all.
- Enamel & Dentin — the hard outer layers that form the visible tooth and protect the inner structures
- Pulp Chamber — the inner space containing blood vessels and nerves; the area root canal therapy addresses
- Root Canals — the narrow channels extending from the pulp chamber down through the tooth roots
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. These are the most common symptoms to watch for. If you experience any of them, contact us promptly.
Experiencing tooth pain right now? Don't wait. Tooth infections don't heal on their own — and delaying treatment increases the risk of losing the tooth entirely. Call us today for a prompt evaluation.
- Severe or Persistent Toothache — deep, throbbing pain in a tooth, especially pain that wakes you at night or doesn't go away, is a classic sign of pulp infection
- Sensitivity That Lingers — sensitivity to hot or cold that persists for 30 seconds or longer after the stimulus is removed is a warning sign the pulp may be inflamed or infected
- Swelling of the Face or Gum — visible swelling around a tooth, a pimple on the gum (dental abscess), or facial swelling indicates the infection may be spreading
- Tooth Discolouration — a tooth that has become grey, dark brown, or noticeably darker than its neighbours may indicate internal pulp damage, even without pain
- Pain When Biting or Chewing — discomfort or sharp pain when biting down, or a tooth that feels tender to touch, often indicates infection in the root tip or ligament
- Cracked or Chipped Tooth — a crack or chip that reaches deep into the tooth can expose the pulp to bacteria, causing rapid infection if not treated promptly
How Dr. Brown Performs a Root Canal
Non-surgical treatment eliminates the diseased pulp, thoroughly cleans and seals the root canal system, and restores comfort and function to your tooth. The procedure typically involves local anaesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the complexity of your case.
- 1. Comfortable Numbing — local anaesthesia is administered to completely numb the tooth and surrounding area; nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is also available for anxious patients. You will feel nothing during the procedure — only pressure, never pain
- 2. Tooth Isolation — a small protective sheet called a dental dam is placed around the tooth to isolate it, keeping the treatment area clean and dry
- 3. Access Opening — a small opening is made in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canal system
- 4. Pulp Removal & Cleaning — the injured or infected pulp is carefully removed using precision endodontic instruments; the root canal system is then thoroughly shaped, cleaned, and disinfected
- 5. Canal Sealing — the cleaned canals are filled and sealed with a biocompatible rubber-like material called gutta-percha to prevent re-infection; a temporary or permanent filling is placed in the access opening
- 6. Crown Placement (Follow-Up) — within a few weeks of root canal completion, you should visit your restorative dentist for a crown or other restoration to protect the treated tooth from fracture
Root Canal vs. Extraction — The Real Cost Comparison
In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth — and far better for your long-term oral health.
Root Canal + Crown: Non-surgical root canal treatment removes the infection, saves your natural tooth, and restores it to full function with a crown. The cost varies depending on which tooth is affected and the severity of the infection — but the total investment is significantly lower than extraction plus replacement.
Extraction + Replacement: Extracting a tooth may seem like the simpler solution — but it starts a chain of events. The gap must be filled to prevent remaining teeth from shifting and bone loss from occurring. Replacement options (implant or bridge) add significant cost and complexity on top of the extraction itself.
The cost associated with root canal treatment varies depending on which tooth is treated (front teeth have fewer canals; back molars have up to four canals and take longer), the severity of infection, and the number of visits required. Many insurance plans cover part or all of root canal therapy — Dr. Brown provides a complete, transparent cost estimate and insurance verification before any treatment begins.
- Saves your natural tooth
- Preserves surrounding bone
- Prevents adjacent teeth from shifting
- Lower overall cost than extraction + implant
- Natural function and appearance maintained
Root Canal Fast Facts
Your comfort is our priority — local anaesthesia keeps you completely numb from start to finish, nitrous oxide is available for anxious patients, and most patients return to their normal routine the same day.
- ~90% success rate for non-surgical treatment
- Over 14 million root canals performed in the US each year
- Drive home immediately after treatment
- Often completed in a single appointment
- Less expensive than tooth removal + implant or bridge
- Nitrous oxide available for anxious patients
Your Questions Answered
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a root canal hurt?
No. Root canal treatment is performed under local anaesthesia, so you feel no pain during the procedure. Dr. Brown also offers nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for patients who feel anxious. Most patients are genuinely surprised by how comfortable the experience is — the procedure relieves your pain, it doesn't cause it. You will be comfortable to drive home and return to your normal routine after treatment.
How many appointments does a root canal take?
Root canal therapy may be completed in one or more visits depending on the complexity of your case, the number of canals, and the extent of infection. Simple cases — particularly front teeth with a single canal — are often completed in a single appointment. More complex cases, such as lower molars with multiple canals or significant infection, may require two visits. Dr. Brown will advise you at the time of consultation.
What is the success rate of root canal treatment?
Non-surgical root canal treatment has a success rate of approximately 90%. Most teeth that receive root canal treatment and are properly restored with a crown can last a lifetime with good oral hygiene and regular checkups. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment, or if the chance of success is unfavourable, Dr. Brown will inform you at the time of consultation — or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Yes, in most cases. After root canal therapy, a follow-up restoration — typically a dental crown — is required within a few weeks. Without the nourishment of the pulp, the treated tooth becomes more brittle over time and is at significant risk of fracturing under normal chewing forces. A crown encases the entire tooth, distributes biting forces evenly, and protects it from cracking — allowing the root-canal-treated tooth to function normally for years or even decades. Your restorative dentist will determine the most appropriate type of restoration for your specific situation.
What are the signs I might need a root canal?
Common signs that may indicate you need root canal treatment include: severe, persistent, or throbbing toothache; prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold (lasting more than 30 seconds); visible swelling or a pimple on the gum near the affected tooth; tooth discolouration (grey or dark appearance); pain when biting or chewing; and a cracked or chipped tooth causing pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact us promptly at (817) 920-0882 for an evaluation. Early treatment gives the best results.
Is a root canal better than having the tooth pulled?
In most cases, yes. Saving your natural tooth is almost always preferable. Endodontic treatment is generally much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth (implant or bridge). A natural tooth also functions better, looks more natural, and preserves the surrounding jawbone. Tooth extraction starts a chain of consequences — bone loss, shifting of adjacent teeth, and the need for costly replacement. Dr. Brown will always recommend the most conservative approach that adequately addresses your situation and discuss all options with you clearly before beginning any treatment.
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Stop the Pain. Save Your Tooth. Call Us Today.
Root canal treatment is one of the most effective, comfortable, and cost-efficient ways to save a tooth and eliminate dental pain. Don't wait — Dr. Brown is ready to help. Call (817) 920-0882. New patients always welcome.