Root Canal Treatment in Houston, TX
A root canal treats infection inside a tooth. Your dentist removes the damaged pulp, cleans and seals the canals, and restores the tooth — usually with a crown. It is the standard way to save a badly decayed, cracked or abscessed tooth instead of pulling it. At Snow Tree Dental in Houston's Galleria area, the tooth is numbed first, and same-day emergency visits are available.
What a root canal actually does
Inside every tooth is a soft core called the pulp — nerves and blood vessels. When decay, a crack or an injury lets bacteria reach it, the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. That is what causes the throbbing. A root canal removes the infected pulp, disinfects the hollow canals inside the root, and seals them to help keep bacteria out.
Root canals have a bad reputation that modern dentistry has largely outgrown. The tooth is numbed before anything begins, and most people say the appointment feels much like getting a filling. What people usually remember as the pain of a root canal is the toothache that brought them in — the treatment is what ends it.
Dr. Muna Mohammed has been treating patients at Snow Tree Dental in the Galleria since 2019, and the practice holds a 4.9-star rating from 221 Google reviews. Our team speaks English, Spanish and Arabic, so you can ask questions in the language you think in. If you're in pain now, don't wait it out — call us.
Signs you may need a root canal
- Pain with hot or coldA sip of coffee or ice water sets off pain that lingers after the drink is gone, rather than fading straight away.
- Pain when you bitePressure on one particular tooth hurts, or a deep ache wakes you at night and over-the-counter painkillers barely touch it.
- Swelling or a gum pimpleYour gum or face swells near the tooth, or a small bump keeps appearing on the gum. That points to an abscess and needs attention quickly.
- A tooth that darkensOne tooth turns gray or brown compared with its neighbors. The pulp inside may have died, even if nothing hurts at the moment.
What to expect at your visit
Exam and X-ray
We take an X-ray, test how the tooth responds, and talk through what we see. If a root canal is the right call, we explain the plan and the cost before starting.
Numbing and cleaning
The tooth and the gum around it are numbed thoroughly. Dr. Mohammed then opens the top of the tooth, removes the infected pulp, and cleans and shapes the canals inside the root.
Sealing the tooth
The cleaned canals are filled and sealed, then the opening is closed with a filling. Some teeth are finished in a single appointment; others need a follow-up visit, and we'll tell you which yours is.
Protecting it with a crown
Back teeth usually need a crown afterward, because a treated tooth is more brittle. We'll fit it once the tooth has settled, so you can chew on that side again.
What affects the cost of a root canal
Cost depends on the tooth. Front teeth have fewer canals than molars, so they take less time and work. Whether the tooth is infected, cracked or previously treated matters too, and most root-canaled teeth need a crown afterward — that is a separate part of the fee. Snow Tree Dental accepts most major PPO plans and files your claim for you. If you have no insurance, our in-house membership plan starts at $225 a year. Cherry, CareCredit and Sunbit let you spread payments out. Come in for a consultation and you'll get an exact quote before anything starts.
Root Canal Treatment FAQs
Does a root canal hurt?
Most people find a root canal feels similar to having a filling. The area is fully numbed first, so you should not feel the work itself. The soreness you arrive with is usually from the infection, and that tends to ease once the tooth is cleaned out. Tell your dentist right away if anything feels sharp.
How much does a root canal cost in Houston?
There is no single price. Cost depends on which tooth is treated, how many canals it has, whether it is infected or cracked, and whether you need a crown afterward. Snow Tree Dental takes most major PPO insurance and files the claim for you. Without insurance, our membership plan starts at $225 a year, and Cherry, CareCredit and Sunbit offer financing. A consultation gets you an exact quote.
Can I get a root canal the same day in Houston?
Often, yes. Snow Tree Dental keeps same-day emergency appointments open for patients in real pain. Call (832) 464-3368 and describe what you're feeling. If the tooth is infected and treatable, we may start treatment that day; if it needs a specialist or more healing time first, we'll tell you honestly and get you comfortable.
Is it better to pull the tooth or have a root canal?
Keeping your own tooth is usually the better option when it can be saved. Your natural tooth keeps your bite and jawbone working normally, and an extraction usually leads to an implant or bridge later. Some teeth are too broken or infected to save. Dr. Muna Mohammed will take an X-ray and tell you which situation you're in.
Related treatments
Tooth pain? Let's look at it today.
Call (832) 464-3368 or book online. We're at 2400 Augusta Dr #175 in the Galleria area, and our team speaks English, Spanish and Arabic. Same-day emergency appointments are available.