21
Jun
Preserve Your Teeth with Specialty Endodontic Care
Endodontic treatment (also known as root canal treatment) is a procedure to preserve your natural teeth. It is also an excellent investment in your health and well-being. The treatments available at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio are often an alternative to dental extraction. If a tooth is removed, it is generally replaced with an implant, bridge, or dentures. Replacing a tooth is often far more expensive and time intensive than preserving and repairing it.
Endodontic Treatment at a Specialist’s Office
As specialists, our doctors have completed two years of advanced training in endodontics beyond dental school. This training focuses on diagnosing and treating tooth infections and managing traumatic injuries. The dental pulp, which is contained within the tooth and is made up of nerves and other tissues, and sometimes becomes infected due to decay or trauma. The most common procedure performed by endodontists is root canal treatment, which involves removing the infected pulp from inside the tooth and then sealing and restoring the tooth.
What are the Signs of Pulpal Damage?
Fractures and decay can threaten the health of the pulp. The pulp nourishes teeth during development and maturation. Once matured the tooth does not need this tissue for its sustained health and function. The infected or diseased pulpal tissue is removed during root canal treatment, which helps to restore the health of the tooth. Patients who are likely to need root canal treatment may experience the following symptoms :
- Sensitivity to temperature or touch
- A toothache
- Tenderness or pain when biting or chewing food
- Swelling or an abscess
- Pain which can wake you up at night and interfere with your day-to-day life
- Tooth discoloration
Call Our Office for More Information
New Patients: (210) 405-0473 | Existing Patients: (210) 497-6699
The Process
First we get you completely numb. We remove the damaged tissue and disinfect the inside of the tooth, then seal the root canal system with a biocompatible material and place a permanent filling. This process can often be done in one appointment of 60-90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the tooth, and can be done in a manner that is painless.
With proper and consistent oral care, teeth that have had root canal treatment can remain healthy for many years. Call (210) 405-0473 to schedule an appointment at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio. We can discuss your options for treatment, as well as payment options. We will file your dental insurance, if you have it, and accept cash and most major credit cards. We also offer financing through CareCredit®.
Dr. Richard Davis, DDS
Richard D. Davis, DDS, graduated from high school in Japan, attended the University of Washington dental school, and joined the Air Force as a general dentist in 1978. He completed the Air Force one-year AEGD residency, a two-year Advanced General Dentistry Residency, and a fellowship in biomaterials at the University of Indiana. Dr. Davis was a clinical instructor, research director, and lecturer at the Air Force. He has published many scientific articles and research papers, and has lectured on many topics. Following retirement from the Air Force in 1999, he completed the graduate program in endodontics at the University of Oregon in 2001, and joined Dr. Schwartz and has been in private practice in endodontics since then.
Dr. Richard Schwartz, DDS
Connect on LinkedIn
Richard S. Schwartz, DDS, graduated from the University of Minnesota dental school in 1977. He was a restorative dentist for 19 years: Early in his career, he attended a two-year general dentistry residency while in the US Air Force, and then did a combination of private practice, teaching, and dental materials research before entering endodontic post-graduate training in 1996. He has authored over 100 articles and abstracts in scientific journals and lectured extensively in the US and in 21 other countries, including 12 times at the American Association of Endodontists’ national meeting. Since 1998 Dr. Schwartz has been in full-time private practice in endodontics in San Antonio, TX, and has practiced with Dr. Davis since 2001. He was a founding member and first secretary/treasurer of the International Association of Endodontics. He is also a member of the American Dental Association and International Association of Dental Specialists.
