Department of Endodontics
Do you have an infected or damaged tooth? Your dentist may recommend that you see a root canal specialist.
At Fort Bend Dental, our patients don’t have to go elsewhere for endodontics treatment. We have a highly trained endodontist in-house.
Learn more about the expert care you can receive from Dr. Zhen Shen at any of our three offices in Richmond and Missouri City, TX...
Free Second Opinions
Has your dentist recommended you for root canal treatment? Dr. Shen is happy to conduct an examination and confirm your dentist's diagnosis at no charge. Give us a call today to schedule your complimentary second opinion.
Everything You Want to Know About Root Canal Treatment
We invite you to experience this multimedia explanation of the root canal procedure.
What Is Endodontics?
Endodontics is the field of dentistry focused on the internal tissues of teeth. Patients typically require endodontic treatment when bacteria causes an infection in the dental pulp (the soft tissue inside a tooth), necessitating root canal therapy.
What Is an Endodontist?
An endodontist is a highly specialized dentist who focuses exclusively on saving teeth through root canal treatment. Becoming an endodontist requires two additional years of training after dental school. Less than three percent of dentists are endodontists.
Advanced Root Canal Therapy
If you've been told you need a root canal, you may be nervous, especially if you already struggle with dental anxiety. But when you choose Fort Bend Dental in Missouri City or Richmond, TX, for endodontics, there is nothing to be worried about.
Dr. Shen is an exceptionally trained specialist who uses the latest technology and techniques during every root canal procedure. Additionally, he prioritizes patient comfort and he will never begin your treatment until you are fully relaxed and all of your questions are answered.
Best of all, nervous patients can take advantage of our sedation dentistry options, which can help you calmly sit through your root canal.
William Wilmington
2021
Great customer awareness and service. Very good in listening for customer concerns. Information received was always proactive. I am glad I chose Fort Bend Dental.
View on GoogleAllan Pope
2021
Fort Bend Dental is an amazing business full of helpful, and caring people. They KNOW who you are and provide the individual attention you need. I always leave there with a smile............ and a BETTER smile at that.
View on GoogleMeet Our Endodontist Zhen Shen, DMD, PhD, MSD
Dr. Zhen Shen is one of the most respected and accomplished dental specialists in Fort Bend County. After graduating from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, he went through two additional years of training in endodontics. Now, he uses advanced technology and his vast knowledge to serve the patients of Fort Bend Dental in Missouri City and Richmond, TX.
Schedule an Endodontic Consultation Contact Fort Bend Dental Today
Fort Bend Dental has provided patients in Fort Bend County with exceptional dentistry for more than 30 years. Now that Dr. Zhen Shen has joined our team in Missouri City and Richmond, TX, we are able to offer the finest endodontic services in addition to our full suite of dental services.
If you are seeking an endodontist, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shen. If you need a second opinion, he can provide one free of charge. If he confirms that you do need a root canal, he can complete your procedure comfortably and save your tooth.
To schedule an appointment at any of our offices in Missouri City or Richmond, contact us online or give us a call.
Call Us: (281) 789-6844
Get In Touch
Emergency Care Available
We are happy to offer emergency dental services to our patients in Richmond and Missouri City, TX. If you have a severe toothache or some other dental emergency, we will make sure you are seen as soon as possible, even on a weekend.
See How Root Canal Treatment Works
During a root canal at our offices in Missouri City or Richmond, TX, Dr. Shen will remove the pulp from your infected tooth. He will then fill the tooth with a safe material called gutta-percha. Finally, he will protect the tooth by placing a custom-made crown.
Signs You Need an Endodontist
The earliest signs of an endodontic infection will often be detected by your general dentist during a routine check-up. However, if you haven't seen a dentist in some time, you may start to develop noticeable symptoms. You should contact one of our Missouri City or Richmond, TX, offices as soon as possible if you experience:
- A cracked tooth
- A cavity
- Persistent dental pain or sensitivity
- Swollen gums
- Discoloration in your teeth
- A pimple-like growth near a tooth
Peter Yannone
2021
Absolutely professional in every respect. Very kind and caring staff are very sensitive to their patients needs AND feelings.
View on GoogleDeloris Watson
2021
Clean, friendly professional service. Customer oriented. I've never been unhappy with the service I've received. Consistently a great place to have all my dental needs met. I travel from Oklahoma for both my teeth cleaning and dental work.
View on GoogleNeed to Refer an Endodontist? Reach Out to Us as a Fellow Practitioner
Are you a dentist whose patient needs a specialist? We understand that referrals are not made lightly; they can reflect on your professional judgment and practice. Dr. Shen has the training, credentials, and consistent patient satisfaction you and your patients can rely on.
We are happy to make lasting connections with dental professionals in the Missouri City and Richmond, TX, areas. For more information, please visit the Fort Bend Dental Academy, or call our offices at:
(281) 499-3541
Sedation Dentistry Available
While our local anesthesia and modern technology provide a virtually painless experience, root canal therapy can intimidate some patients. To help relieve dental anxiety, we offer three forms of sedation:
Nitrous Oxide
Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a safe and fast-acting sedative that helps ease your nerves while letting you remain aware of your surroundings. Nitrous oxide is a lighter type of sedation that wears off within minutes, allowing you to drive home after the procedure.
Oral Sedation
Patients can receive oral sedation in the form of a prescribed pill on the day of the procedure. Oral sedation is a mid-level form of sedation, but the strength varies depending on the prescription and dosage. The effects tend to last longer, so you'll need someone else to drive you to and fro our office.
IV Sedation
Patients can receive our strongest form of conscious sedation through an IV. The primary difference in choosing this method is that the level of sedation can be immediately adjusted to meet your comfort needs. Patients who receive IV sedation will need a designated driver.
Same-Day Services
We combine the specialized talents of staff like Dr. Shen with sophisticated technology for the very best results. For example, CEREC technology allows us to craft and place a dental crown on the same day as your root canal therapy, eliminating the need for a temporary crown.
Depending on your needs, Dr. Shen may need to schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor your progress and ensure the infection is gone. In this case, we will need to use a temporary crown until we have determined that your tooth is ready for a permanent crown.
Financing Your Endodontic Care
Endodontic treatments are considered necessary medical care, which means that most insurance plans cover part or all of the cost. For patients without insurance, our practice works with CareCredit®, a lender who can allow you to pay in low-interest monthly installments.
Our friendly and experienced staff can help you explore these options so you can determine which is best for your needs.
"I chose the right team."
Donna L.
2022
I had a consultation with Dr. Shen, the Endodontist, for a second opinion. He was polite, professional and informative. He teaches at the Dental school so I know that he is up to date with endodontic medicine. : ) I have scheduled an appointment with Dr. Shen for a root canal.
View on GoogleKaren Cordoba
2022
After thoroughly explaining what all was involved, Dr. Shen and his assistant, Amber, made me feel at ease throughout the entire procedure. Almost a month and a half later and I am CONFIDENT I chose the right team for the job. Thank you so much Dr. Shen and Amber for the quality care you guys are giving at Fort Bend Dental!
View on GoogleEndodontics FAQs
Can't a dentist perform a root canal?
Some general dentists do perform root canal therapy. However, most dentists will refer root canal cases to endodontists. Endodontists are exclusively focused on treating the interior structures of teeth, so they are more experienced and more qualified to perform these procedures. At Fort Bend Dental, we have Dr. Shen on staff, so we don't have to refer you to another practice.
Do endodontists do anything other than root canal treatment?
The great majority of endodontic treatments involve root canal therapy. Endodontists can also perform other procedures, such as treating a tooth after it experiences some kind of trauma.
What's better? A root canal or an extraction?
At Fort Bend Dental, we always think it's best for our patients to keep their natural teeth whenever possible. That's why we recommend root canal therapy instead of extraction. When performed by an experienced specialist like Dr. Shen, root canal treatment is safe and predictable, and it allows you to keep your natural tooth.
