Root Canal Therapy
Root Canal Therapy in McKinney, TX
A root canal relieves pain and saves a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted. It has a scary reputation it doesn’t deserve—most patients say it feels no different than getting a filling.
When a root canal is needed
A root canal becomes necessary when the pulp (nerve tissue) inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed—usually from deep decay, a crack, or trauma. Signs include lingering pain to hot or cold, throbbing pain, swelling, or a darkening tooth. Left untreated, an infected tooth can develop an abscess.
What happens during treatment
Dr. Kovvuri numbs the area, removes the infected pulp tissue, cleans and shapes the interior of the tooth, and seals it. Most root canals take one to two visits, and a crown is typically placed afterward to protect the treated tooth long-term. You’re numb throughout—the goal of the procedure is to relieve pain, not cause it.
Root canal vs. extraction
Whenever possible, we recommend saving your natural tooth with a root canal rather than extracting it—your own tooth functions better long-term than most replacements. For anatomically complex cases or certain tooth types, we may refer you to an endodontist (root canal specialist) for the procedure, then handle your crown restoration afterward.
Root canal questions
Is a root canal painful?
The procedure itself is done under local anesthesia and typically feels similar to getting a filling. The pain patients associate with root canals is usually from the infection *before* treatment—the procedure is what relieves that pain, not what causes it.
How long does a root canal take?
Most root canals are completed in one to two appointments, each typically 60–90 minutes depending on the tooth and complexity. A crown is usually placed at a follow-up visit to protect the tooth long-term.
Do you refer complex cases to a specialist?
Yes. For anatomically complex cases or certain molars, we may refer you to an endodontist for the root canal itself, then handle the crown restoration once it’s complete. We coordinate the referral and stay involved throughout.
Also at Cherish Dental
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