Endodontic Patient Information Conroe TX
Thank you for your interest in Ellis Endodontics, a dental practice dedicated exclusively to endodontic care.
What is Endodontics?
Endodontics, also called root
canal therapy, is the area of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the diseased dental pulp. The pulp is the small amount of soft tissue containing minute nerves and blood vessels within the tooth. During initial tooth development, the pulp is responsible for the formation and growth of the hard part of the tooth. After the crown and roots of the tooth have matured, the pulp tissue remains locked inside the tooth in a small space inside the root. We call this space the root canal. This is why the procedure is often called root canal therapy.
During a lifetime, the pulp may become diseased due to a variety of reasons including decay, trauma, cracks and/or mechanical trauma such as deep fillings or crowns. The inflamed pulp can quickly cause pain and even infection of the surrounding bone and soft tissue. Elimination of the diseased pulp can be accomplished in two ways: saving the tooth by performing root canal therapy or by extracting the tooth.
Specialists in Saving Teeth
Retaining the tooth prevents the loss of function (chewing ability), movement of adjacent teeth and unwanted cosmetic changes. Root
canal treatment can be very predictable and enjoys over a 95% success rate. Ellis Endodontics specializes in endodontics exclusively and our practice is designed to optimize the likelihood of success. It is our belief that the best tooth is the God-made tooth and that even the best man-made replacement is inferior; that is why we attempt to save all teeth we believe have a reasonably good chance of healthy function.
If you choose endodontic treatment, our office will provide you with outstanding care and support. Prior to treatment, we routinely administer local anesthetics, which will insure your comfort while the procedure is accomplished. (See the Making
You Comfortable section for additional options if you are especially
anxious or would like mild sedation). We accomplish many procedures in one visit, however, each case is unique and some require a second visit to provide the best opportunity for complete healing. After we have completed your treatment, we will send a report to your dentist and you will be advised to return to see him/her promptly to have a permanent filling or crown placed to protect your tooth.
For many years local dentists have referred patients to Dr. Ellis with confidence that is based on his reputation for clinical skill and professionalism.
This section offers information from the administrative side of the practice, including:
- What to Expect on Your First Visit
- Scheduling
- Financial Policy
- Insurance
- FAQ