Root canal treatment to preserve a tooth: An affordable, conservative alternative to extraction

Root canal treatment is often characterized as an alternative to tooth extraction. By partnering with Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio, your treatment is in exceptional hands. As endodontists, Dr. Rick Schwartz, Dr. Rick Davis, and Dr. Zac Liang specialize in treating injuries and conditions that damage the pulp tissue inside the teeth. 

Treatments available at our specialty center include nonsurgical root canal therapy. Other dentists from South Texas and beyond turn to us for our expertise in additional procedures, such as root canal retreatment and endodontic surgery. Every effort is made to preserve your damaged tooth. 

Preservation vs extraction

Root canal therapy has a high rate of success. With good care at home and ongoing professional dental care, no further treatment is needed, and tooth extraction or removal can be avoided. 

With the exception of “wisdom teeth,” preserving teeth with restorative dental treatments is generally advised. Depending on the nature of the damage to your tooth, treatment with a filling or crown may be sufficient. However, root canal therapy may be recommended when the dental pulp is damaged. This treatment removes the inflamed or infected pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This process gives your tooth a second chance. 

Root canal therapy is primarily considered to be an attractive alternative to extraction because it is:

• Well-tolerated with anesthetic applied gently and slowly
• Effective at relieving pain and other distressing symptoms 
• Conservative treatment preserves the “best” type of tooth – your natural one!
• Fast, can usually be completed in one visit 
• A proven way to restore the strength, appearance, function, and health of a badly damaged tooth
• Economical, avoids tooth replacement (such as bridges or implants) which often costs 2-3 times more
• Easy to maintain – simply care for the treated tooth like any other tooth with consistent and good brushing and flossing and professional care at your dentist’s office

Preservation of the tooth also supports sustained oral and overall health. Tooth loss generally promotes bone loss. Without stimulation from the teeth, the bone in the jaw can deteriorate or be resorbed. This process affects facial structure, hastens visible signs of aging, and interferes with healthy, efficient chewing and other functions. It also puts more stress on your remaining teeth which must bear additional load, making them more susceptible to cracking and other problems.

There are many benefits associated with preserving and restoring decayed or traumatized teeth. Trust your treatment to the specialists at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio. Our team in South TX welcomes your questions. Contact us at (210) 405-0473.

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
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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.

Dr. Zhangrui Liang, DDS, MS

Dr. Zhangrui “Zac” Liang, DDS, MS, grew up in China and has been in the US since 2015. He attended dental school in China and did his endodontic training at UCLA, where he also received a Masters of Science degree. He has practiced with Dr. Davis and Dr. Schwartz since 2022.

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