Endodontic treatment · Pearland, TX
Endodontic Treatment
Endodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the inside of the tooth — the pulp, the root canals, and the tissue surrounding the root. Its entire purpose is keeping natural teeth that would otherwise be lost.
- Specialty training
- 2+ years beyond dental school
- Focus
- The inside of the tooth
- Goal
- Keep the natural tooth
What an endodontist does differently
A general dentist looks after the whole mouth. An endodontist has completed two or more additional years of accredited postgraduate training devoted entirely to diagnosing tooth pain and treating the pulp and root canal system, and performs these procedures every working day.
That difference shows up most in three places: diagnosing pain that is hard to locate, treating teeth with complicated or calcified anatomy, and handling cases where previous treatment has not resolved. Magnification and three-dimensional imaging are routine tools rather than exceptional ones.
The measure of success is simple and it is not cosmetic: the tooth stays, it is comfortable, and the infection is gone.
How treatment works
Accessing and treating the pulp
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01
Diagnosis
Testing and imaging establish which tooth is responsible and what state the pulp is in. Getting this right is most of the job.
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02
Anaesthetic and isolation
The tooth is numbed and isolated with a dental dam so it stays clean and dry throughout.
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03
Access through the crown
A conservative opening is made through the biting surface to reach the pulp chamber, preserving as much sound tooth as possible.
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04
Cleaning and shaping
Diseased tissue is removed and every canal is disinfected and shaped, under magnification.
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05
Sealing
The canals are filled and sealed against re-infection.
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06
Final restoration
Your general dentist places the permanent crown or filling that protects the tooth long term.
Common questions
Endodontic treatment FAQs
What is the difference between an endodontist and a dentist?
All endodontists are dentists first. An endodontist has then completed two or more years of accredited postgraduate specialty training limited to the pulp and root canal system, and practises only in that area. General dentists refer complex cases, difficult diagnoses and previously treated teeth to endodontists for that reason.
Do I need a referral to be seen?
A referral from your general dentist is helpful because it brings recent X-rays and clinical background with it, but it is not required. You are welcome to contact the practice directly.
How many visits will I need?
Many treatments are completed in one visit. A tooth with severe infection or unusually complex anatomy may need two. You will be told which is expected before treatment begins.
What happens if I do nothing?
An infected pulp does not resolve on its own. The infection progresses into the bone around the root, and can produce an abscess, swelling and eventually loss of the tooth. Delay generally narrows the options rather than widening them.
Understand your options before deciding
A consultation establishes what is wrong, what can be done, and what each route actually involves.