Endodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry focused on saving natural teeth by treating problems inside the tooth, including the dental pulp and root canals. Pulpitis is painful inflammation of the dental pulp, the innermost, nerve-filled part of your tooth.
At Voss Dental, we have multiple endodontists on staff who use advanced techniques to relieve tooth pain, eliminate infection (pulpitis), and preserve teeth rather than extract them. Root canal treatment in Houston, TX, removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside the tooth, cleans and disinfects the canals, and seals them to prevent reinfection.
Endodontists are dental specialists who complete two or more additional years of training beyond dental school, focusing on diagnosing tooth pain and performing root canal and other interior-tooth treatments. Endodontic treatment addresses issues deep within a tooth that can’t be resolved with a simple filling. If you need a root canal, seeking care from one of our endodontic specialists in Houston, TX, is the best chance of saving your tooth.
Although most people experience symptoms, it’s possible not to notice anything obvious. In some cases, routine exams uncover asymptomatic infections before they worsen.
Before root canal therapy, our team will take digital images, and one of our endodontists will review your symptoms to diagnose and devise the best course of treatment. In addition to imaging, our endodontists may use one or several of the following tests to determine if you need root canal therapy:
During the procedure, local anesthesia ensures your comfort while the infection is removed through a small hole drilled in your tooth. The impacted tooth is typically isolated with a rubber dam to prevent saliva, bacteria, and debris from contaminating it.
After the infection has been treated and the area cleaned, your tooth is filled with an inert material, such as gutta-percha, and sealed with a zinc-oxide-based cement. Mild soreness is normal; you should be able to return to normal activities within a day and likely feel relief almost immediately.
Sometimes a tooth that has already undergone a root canal may require retreatment due to a new infection, missed canals, or delayed healing. The endodontists at Voss Dental specialize in managing complex anatomy, retreatment cases, and challenging infections using advanced imaging and microsurgical techniques.
An apicoectomy (root-end surgery) may be advised to save a tooth after a root canal fails, especially when infection and pain persist at the root tip. Under local anesthesia and sedation if needed, the gum is lifted, the root tip is removed, the canal is sealed with a filling, and the gum is stitched closed.
Our team always strives to save ailing teeth and only extracts them when no other viable option exists. Saving your natural tooth helps maintain proper chewing, natural appearance, and jaw alignment. It also prevents neighboring teeth from shifting and avoids the need for more extensive replacement options such as a bridge or dental implant.
Infected tooth treatment at Voss Dental is designed to relieve pain—not cause it—and allows you to retain normal tooth function. With that said, your jaw may be a little sore from keeping it open for an extended period.
With proper restoration and care, a treated tooth can last a lifetime. Root canal procedures have a high success rate, typically between 90% and 95%.
Yes, about 15 million root canals are performed every year in the U.S., with endodontists performing an average of 25 root canals per week and general dentists fewer than 2.
In most cases, a dental crown is needed 10–14 days after root canal treatment in Houston, TX, to protect the weakened tooth structure and prevent extraction.
Delaying care can allow the infection to spread, increasing pain and the risk of tooth loss.
