The West Fort Worth Endodontics Blog
We’ve gone through years of extra endodontic education to learn as much as we can. Here’s the place where we share that knowledge with you, plus updates about our office and things we find interesting.
Your complete guide to cracked tooth repair options
That sudden, sharp pain when you bite down could be a red flag for a cracked tooth, a condition that won't heal on its own and needs cracked tooth repair. Addressing a dental crack promptly is crucial and can be the difference between saving your natural tooth and needing an extraction. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about identifying a crack and the treatment options available to get you back to living pain-free.
How we treat dental abscesses at the tooth's root
Dental abscesses are a serious dental condition caused by an infection at the root of a tooth, often signaling deeper issues within the jawbone. If left untreated, they can lead to severe health complications, making prompt treatment essential. At West Fort Worth Endodontics, Dr. Nieves and Dr. Fitzhugh use advanced tools and expertise to stop the infection and save your natural tooth.
Dental trauma explained: how an endodontist saves your smile
Dental trauma happens when you least expect it, whether you're playing sports or simply enjoying a snack. While your first instinct might be panic, an endodontist is a specialist who plays a critical role in saving your natural teeth after an injury. At West Fort Worth Endodontics, we use our specialized training to diagnose and treat traumatic dental emergencies so your smile stays intact.
How long does a root canal treatment actually take?
Getting a root canal raises common questions like whether it will hurt (modern anesthesia makes it manageable) and how long it will take. The procedure is a careful process designed to relieve pain and save your natural tooth, so it requires precision and time. Understanding the timeline can help ease anxiety, and this blog post will guide you through each step of the procedure.
Tooth pain in 2026: 5 symptoms you shouldn’t ignore
It’s a familiar scenario: a sharp zing of pain shoots through your jaw when you're eating or drinking, and while it's tempting to brush it off, a persistent ache is often a sign of something more serious. Understanding the specific tooth pain you're experiencing is the first step toward relief and helps us provide the most precise care during your visit to West Fort Worth Endodontics. This guide covers the key symptoms to watch for in 2026 and explains why listening to your body is the best way to save your natural smile with today's advanced technology.
Understanding the layers of your teeth: A patient's guide
Your teeth are more than just simple bones for chewing; they're complex organs with multiple layers, each with a specific job. Understanding what’s happening inside a tooth makes it easier to understand why things like cavities or cold water cause pain. At West Fort Worth Endodontics, we believe that by breaking down the parts of your teeth, we can demystify dental pain and explain what we do to save your natural tooth.
Should I get root canal therapy even if I'm not in pain?
When most of us think about root canal therapy, we immediately associate it with pain. As we all know, pain is usually the body's way of waving a red flag, telling us that something is wrong. So, it's completely understandable that if a dentist or endodontist recommends a root canal when you feel perfectly fine, you might be confused. This post will explain why pain isn't always the best indicator of tooth health and why listening to your endodontist's recommendation could save your tooth.
Our favorite endodontic treatment is a proper diagnosis
At West Fort Worth Endodontics, we combat the stigma that dental professionals push unnecessary treatments for profit. Our patients are often surprised when we don't recommend a procedure, instead focusing on an accurate diagnosis to find the true source of their pain. This post will explore the critical role we play in diagnosing tooth pain, ensuring you get the right care for your specific needs.
What does it mean when your tooth turns a different color?
A change in tooth color, though seemingly cosmetic, can often signal an underlying problem. Understanding these color changes is key to maintaining your oral health, as they can offer clues about what's happening inside your tooth. This guide will help you identify common causes of discoloration, what specific colors mean and when to see an endodontist.
Treatment options to repair cracked teeth in Ft. Worth, Texas
Biting down on something hard and feeling a sharp pain can be alarming, signaling a potential cracked tooth. Ignoring even a small crack can lead to serious issues like infection, decay, and intense pain, potentially resulting in tooth loss. At West Fort Worth Endodontics, we specialize in effective treatments for cracked teeth to restore your oral health and keep you smiling.
Root canal vs. tooth extraction: which is better?
When dealing with a severely damaged or infected tooth, you may need to choose between a root canal or extraction, each with long-term oral health implications. While extraction might seem simpler, modern dentistry prioritizes saving natural teeth through root canals, as they are stronger and more effective than artificial replacements. This blog post discusses important factors such as long-term impact, health, recovery and cost when evaluating what you should do (spoiler alert: see an endodontist!).
Can a sinus infection cause tooth pain?
Waking up with a stuffy nose and a headache can be bad enough, but if you're also experiencing a toothache, it's natural to wonder if they're connected. The answer is yes, a sinus infection can absolutely cause tooth pain. This guide will help you understand the link between your sinuses and your teeth so you can tell the difference between sinus pain and a true dental problem that West Fort Worth Endodontics can help with.
10 signs you might need a root canal
Hearing the words "root canal" can make some people nervous, but modern endodontic therapy is designed to relieve pain, not cause it. The procedure is a crucial tool for saving a natural tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted. Ignoring the signs can lead to more severe pain, abscesses and even tooth loss. Understanding the symptoms can help you know when to seek help. If you're experiencing dental discomfort, here are 10 signs that you might need a root canal.
The science behind saving your natural teeth: why root canals matter
When a tooth is deeply infected, root canal therapy is the best way to save it and relieve pain. While extraction seems like an easy fix, saving the natural tooth is almost always the superior choice for your long-term health and function. Understanding the science behind root canals can help you make a confident decision about your oral health.
How to prepare for your first root canal therapy appointment
Knowing what to expect and how to prepare can make all the difference in turning an anxious experience into a calm and straightforward one. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before your first root canal appointment at West Fort Worth Endodontics, from the night before to your recovery at home.
Endodontic surgery in Fort Worth: A Patient's Guide
Endodontic surgery focuses on treating issues deep inside the tooth, specifically within the pulp and root canals. At West Fort Worth Endodontics, our team of board-certified specialists is dedicated to providing the highest quality care to relieve dental pain and preserve your natural smile. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about endodontic surgery, from when it's needed to what the procedure involves.
What does it mean to have a resorbed tooth?
Tooth resorption affects thousands of people each year, yet many patients have never heard of it until they're diagnosed. This condition can occur silently, progressing without obvious symptoms until significant damage has already occurred. The good news? With early detection and proper treatment from a qualified endodontist, many resorbed teeth can be saved. This blog post will cover the types of tooth resorption, what causes a tooth to get resorbed and how an endodontist can help.
Get to know the parts of your teeth better
Your teeth are remarkably complex structures that work together to help you bite, chew and speak. Understanding the anatomy of your teeth can help you appreciate why proper dental care is so important and when you might need specialized treatment from an endodontist like Dr. Fitzhugh or Dr. Nieves here at WFW Endodontics.
How root canal therapy can be critical for sudden tooth pain
While many dental issues can wait for a regular appointment, severe tooth pain often signals a problem that requires immediate attention from an endodontic specialist. This blog post will walk you through the critical signs that warrant urgent endodontic intervention and explain how timely root canal therapy at West Fort Worth Endodontics can prevent complications that might otherwise cost you your natural tooth.
Not all root canal therapies are equal: Why who treats you matters
Successful root canal therapy doesn’t just depend on the procedure—it depends on who performs it. When done correctly, root canal therapy will save your natural tooth, relieve oral pain and prevent further complications. But these results aren’t guaranteed without the right expertise. That’s why choosing a board-certified endodontist is essential. This blog post will tell you everything you need to know about how experience, technology and care elevate your root canal therapy success rate and ensures a positive experience.