We are located one mile west of Hwy 360 (Capital of Texas Highway) on RR 2222 in Building V, Suite 212 of the Ladera Bend Office/Retail Complex.  We are next to the Jester Village Shopping Area.  After exiting off of Hwy 360 heading west on RR 2222, at the second stoplight (Jester Blvd.), turn right and then take the first left at the "Ladera Bend" sign.  This is the entrance to our parking lot.  Go past the Chase Bank on your left and straight through the roundabout.  You will see our sign on your left (blue and green).  You may park right out front of our door in reserved parking spaces or on the top level of the covered parking garage.

Root Canal Therapy (Endodontics) involves the removal of all infection from the root canal.  During the treatment, the infected pulp is removed.  Any abscesses which may be present can also be drained at this time.  The root canal is then cleaned and the tooth is left with a temporary filling until a permanent crown can be applied by your dentist.

The endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the canal, a channel inside the the root, then fills and seals the space.  Afterwards, you will return to your dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.  After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by the pulp inflammation or infection.  With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure.

For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was a pain or infection before the procedure.  This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

With the technology available at our office, most root canals can be performed in one or two office visits.  Please allow two hours for your office visit.

Yes.  Root canal treatment is usually performed under local anesthesia, just as any other dental treatment.  It normally does not have any effects on your capability to drive or do work.  Even though you may feel that your face is larger than normal due to the anesthetic, it is not.  Co-workers will only know that you had dental treatment if you tell them.

Your treatment is not complete until the tooth is permanently restored. Your dentist will perform permanent restoration of the tooth, often by placing a crown on the tooth that had root canal treatment. This is a vital component of treatment because it protects the tooth from breaking by distributing the biting force evenly over the crown and prevents reinfection by the process of sealing the canal space from the oral environment.

Yes, for most root canal treatments, we recommend that patients return to the office 6 months after the procedure was finished. Our office will send a reminder notice to you when you are due for a recall appointment.

Most teeth can be treated.  Occasionally, a tooth can't be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn't have adequate bone support or the tooth cannot be restored.  However, advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost.  When endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth.

Most endodontically treated teeth last as long as other natural teeth.  In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal or the pain continues.  Occasionally, the tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment.  Often, when this occurs, repeating the endodontic procedure can save the tooth.

New trauma, deep decay or a loose, cracked or broken filling can cause new infection in your tooth.  In some cases, the endodontist may discover additional very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure.

The alternative to root canal therapy is the removal of the tooth.  Once the pulp is destroyed, it cannot heal and it is not recommended to leave the infected tooth in the mouth.  While some people would prefer an extraction, it is usually advisable to keep the natural teeth if possible.

Keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible is very important for proper eating and chewing functions.  There are several options available for missing teeth, such as dentures, partial dentures, dental implants and fixed dental bridges, however, these alternatives can be more expensive than saving your tooth with root canal treatment.

New trauma, deep decay or a loose, cracked or broken filling can cause new infection in your tooth.  In some cases, the endodontist may discover additional very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure.