Few phrases make patients more nervous than “you need a root canal.” Here’s the truth we share with Arlington patients every week: a modern root canal feels a lot like getting a regular filling — it just takes a little longer. The pain people associate with root canals is almost always the toothache before treatment, not the treatment itself. The root canal is what makes that pain stop.
What a root canal actually is
Inside every tooth is a small chamber of soft tissue — the pulp — containing the tooth’s nerve and blood supply. When deep decay, a crack, or an injury lets bacteria reach the pulp, it becomes inflamed or infected. That’s what causes the throbbing ache, temperature sensitivity, and swelling patients describe. A root canal simply removes the infected tissue, disinfects the space inside the roots, and seals it so bacteria can’t return. You keep your natural tooth — which is almost always better than removing it.
Signs you might need one
- A toothache that lingers, throbs, or wakes you up at night
- Sharp pain when you bite or chew
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lasts long after the trigger is gone
- A darkening tooth, swollen gums, or a pimple-like bump near the tooth
Only an exam and X-ray can confirm it. Some infected teeth barely hurt at all — which is why it’s worth getting persistent symptoms checked early, before a small problem becomes an emergency.
Step by step: what happens in the chair
1. Numbing. We thoroughly numb the tooth and surrounding area with local anesthetic. This is the step that has improved most over the decades — you should feel pressure, not pain, throughout the visit.
2. Isolating the tooth. A small protective sheet keeps the tooth clean and dry while we work.
3. Cleaning the canals. Through a small opening, we remove the inflamed or infected pulp and carefully clean and shape the canals inside the roots.
4. Sealing. The canals are disinfected and filled with a biocompatible material, then the opening is sealed to keep bacteria out.
5. Protecting the tooth. Back teeth usually need a crown afterward, because a treated tooth is more brittle. A durable zirconia crown restores full chewing strength and looks like a natural tooth.
Most root canals at our Arlington office are finished in one or two visits, and most patients go back to work or school the same day.
Does it hurt?
During the procedure, you’re numb — the vast majority of patients tell us it was far easier than they feared. Afterward, mild soreness for a few days is normal and typically managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. What disappears almost immediately is the deep, throbbing infection pain that brought you in.
What a root canal costs in Arlington
At Madison Square Dental, a root canal is $799. If the tooth needs a crown afterward, a zirconia crown is $899 — so a complete root canal plus crown is typically $1,698 before insurance. Most dental insurance plans cover a meaningful portion of endodontic treatment, and our front office verifies your benefits before treatment so there are no surprises. We also offer free consultations and second opinions — if another office has told you that you need a root canal and you’d like a second look, we’re happy to give you an honest answer.
What happens if you wait
An infected tooth doesn’t heal on its own. Left alone, the infection can spread into the jaw, form an abscess, and eventually make the tooth impossible to save — turning a routine root canal into an extraction and replacement. If you’re having severe pain or swelling, don’t wait: we keep room in our schedule for same-day emergency appointments.
Why Arlington families choose Madison Square Dental
Our practice has cared for Arlington families for more than 40 years. Our three experienced dentists — Dr. Mansour Ahangarzadeh (surgical and implant dentistry), Dr. Brijesh Patel (general and family dentistry), and Dr. Priyaben Patel (cosmetic dentistry) — work under one roof, so everything from your root canal to your crown happens in one familiar place.
Tooth pain in Arlington?
Call Madison Square Dental at (817) 275-2229 or book online. We’re at 803 Washington Drive, Arlington, TX 76011 — same-day emergency appointments are available. Learn more about root canal treatment.