Endodontics is a specialty area of dentistry dealing with root canal-related procedures. Patients are referred to our office to receive root canal treatment or for an evaluation to determine if a root canal procedure is required. The treatment procedures enable most teeth to be saved that would otherwise be lost. Our state of the art specialty practice utilizes the latest in endodontic technology including digital and 3-Dimensional radiography, surgical operating microscopes and ultrasonic techniques.
What is an Endodontist?
Endodontists are dentists who specialize in maintaining teeth through endodontic therapy procedures, involving the soft inner tissue of the teeth, called the pulp. All dentists are trained in endodontic treatment, however, some teeth can be especially difficult to diagnose and treat. That’s why many dentists may refer their patients to an endodontist.
In addition to dental school, endodontists receive two or more years of advanced education in this type of treatment. They study root canal techniques and procedures in greater depth, in order to diagnosis and treat more difficult cases. For this reason, many dentists choose to refer their patients to endodontists.
What Happens During Endodontic Treatment? or What is a Root Canal?
A local anesthetic will be given. A sheet of latex called the "rubber dam" will be placed around the tooth to isolate it, keeping it clean and dry during treatment. The treatment consists of multiple steps, but the number of visits will depend on your particular case. Some treatments take 2 visits but many are just a single visit. Occasionally 3 appointments will be necessary.
In any case, length of treatment will depend on the degree of infection and inflammation, as well as the degree of treatment difficulty. In our opinion, it's more important to do it the very best we can then to meet a specific time criteria.
There are, of course, no guarantees. Root canal or endodontic treatment has a very high degree of success. Teeth which can be treated near ideal have a success rate up to 90%. Prior to initiating treatment, we will discuss with you the chances of success in order to help you make an informed decision. If a root canal or endodontic treatment is unsuccessful, there are further options.
Diagnosing and Treating Pain
Oral pain such as toothaches or cracked teeth can often be difficult to pinpoint and localize. Because of the vast network of nerves in the mouth, the pain of a damaged or diseased tooth often is felt in another tooth and/or in the head, neck, or ear. An endodontist is a specialist in diagnosing and treating this type of pain.
Treating Traumatic Injuries
Pulp damage is sometimes caused by trauma, or a blow to the mouth. The endodontist specializes in treating these traumatic injuries. For example, a blow to a child's permanent tooth that is not fully developed can cause the root to stop growing. A procedure called apexification stimulates bone to be deposited at the end of the root, making it possible to then save the tooth through a root canal procedure. An endodontist is specially trained in procedures for replanting teeth that have been knocked out of their sockets.
Will I need to return to your office for Additional Visits?
Once endodontic therapy is completed your tooth should be examined periodically. This allows us to make sure the tooth has healed or is healing properly. You will be sent a notice in the mail when we feel it is appropriate to reevaluate the area, typically within 12 months.
Retreatment / Surgery
Occasionally a tooth that has undergone endodontic, treatment fails to heal or pain continues despite therapy. Although rare, sometimes a tooth that initially responds to root canal therapy becomes painful or diseased months or years later. When either of these situations occur, the tooth often can be maintained with an additional root canal treatment. If a previously treated or retreated root canal to have symptoms or evidence of infection, apical surgery may be indicated. Apical surgery, which is also known as apicoectomy or root end resection, is a procedure in which the gums are reflected to gain access to the site of infection. The tip of the root of the tooth is removed, the infected area is cleaned out, and a filling is placed in the root to provide a seal. Sutures are then placed and are removed or will dissolve within a week.
What is an Endodontist?
Endodontists are dentists who specialize in maintaining teeth through endodontic therapy procedures, involving the soft inner tissue of the teeth, called the pulp. All dentists are trained in endodontic treatment, however, some teeth can be especially difficult to diagnose and treat. That’s why many dentists may refer their patients to an endodontist.
In addition to dental school, endodontists receive two or more years of advanced education in this type of treatment. They study root canal techniques and procedures in greater depth, in order to diagnosis and treat more difficult cases. For this reason, many dentists choose to refer their patients to endodontists.
What Happens During Endodontic Treatment? or What is a Root Canal?
A local anesthetic will be given. A sheet of latex called the "rubber dam" will be placed around the tooth to isolate it, keeping it clean and dry during treatment. The treatment consists of multiple steps, but the number of visits will depend on your particular case. Some treatments take 2 visits but many are just a single visit. Occasionally 3 appointments will be necessary.
In any case, length of treatment will depend on the degree of infection and inflammation, as well as the degree of treatment difficulty. In our opinion, it's more important to do it the very best we can then to meet a specific time criteria.
There are, of course, no guarantees. Root canal or endodontic treatment has a very high degree of success. Teeth which can be treated near ideal have a success rate up to 90%. Prior to initiating treatment, we will discuss with you the chances of success in order to help you make an informed decision. If a root canal or endodontic treatment is unsuccessful, there are further options.
Diagnosing and Treating Pain
Oral pain such as toothaches or cracked teeth can often be difficult to pinpoint and localize. Because of the vast network of nerves in the mouth, the pain of a damaged or diseased tooth often is felt in another tooth and/or in the head, neck, or ear. An endodontist is a specialist in diagnosing and treating this type of pain.
Treating Traumatic Injuries
Pulp damage is sometimes caused by trauma, or a blow to the mouth. The endodontist specializes in treating these traumatic injuries. For example, a blow to a child's permanent tooth that is not fully developed can cause the root to stop growing. A procedure called apexification stimulates bone to be deposited at the end of the root, making it possible to then save the tooth through a root canal procedure. An endodontist is specially trained in procedures for replanting teeth that have been knocked out of their sockets.
Will I need to return to your office for Additional Visits?
Once endodontic therapy is completed your tooth should be examined periodically. This allows us to make sure the tooth has healed or is healing properly. You will be sent a notice in the mail when we feel it is appropriate to reevaluate the area, typically within 12 months.
Retreatment / Surgery
Occasionally a tooth that has undergone endodontic, treatment fails to heal or pain continues despite therapy. Although rare, sometimes a tooth that initially responds to root canal therapy becomes painful or diseased months or years later. When either of these situations occur, the tooth often can be maintained with an additional root canal treatment. If a previously treated or retreated root canal to have symptoms or evidence of infection, apical surgery may be indicated. Apical surgery, which is also known as apicoectomy or root end resection, is a procedure in which the gums are reflected to gain access to the site of infection. The tip of the root of the tooth is removed, the infected area is cleaned out, and a filling is placed in the root to provide a seal. Sutures are then placed and are removed or will dissolve within a week.
