Houston Root Canal Therapy

At the heart of every tooth is a soft tissue, or pulp, that contains nerve endings and blood vessels. Sometimes this pulp becomes infected, resulting in an intense toothache. When this happens, a root canal procedure can remove the infected pulp and save the tooth.

During a root canal, your Houston root canal dentist removes the infected pulp and fills the gap with a putty-like substance. The area is then sealed with a crown.

This procedure is a great alternative to bridges or dental implants, as it allows you to keep your natural tooth and prevents further infection. It’s also more affordable than other procedures. Root canals are one of the most common dental procedures performed on a yearly basis, and 90% of treatments are completely successful.

Root Canal Procedure

Here’s what you can expect during your Houston root canal procedure.

• First, your Houston, TX root canal dentist will administer either local anesthesia or nitrous oxide to eliminate discomfort during the procedure.
• Your Houston root canal dentist will make a small hole in the tooth in order to remove the infected pulp. Space is then made for the filling.
• The area is cleaned and then filled. This seals the tooth and prevents further infection.
• Your Houston root canal dentist will apply a temporary filling to close the opening they made earlier. You will then need to make a second appointment for a more permanent closure, usually, a crown, to be applied.

Root Canal Aftercare

Once the nitrous oxide wears off, you should be able to drive yourself home after the procedure. If you’ve had a local anesthetic to numb your mouth, do not eat or drink until you regain feeling. You may experience some soreness in the hours and days after your appointment which you can manage using over-the-counter pain medication. If the pain is severe or persists more than a few days, give our Houston office a call, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Your root canal specialist in Houston will be able to tell you if you’re a candidate for a root canal procedure. Book an appointment with our Houston office today!