Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Endodontist?
An Endodontist is a dentist who has taken two or more years of advanced training specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of dental conditions involving the pulp, or soft tissue, inside the root canal or channel. Your dentist referred you to Dr. because your condition requires specialized treatment. In our care, you may benefit from the exceptional skill and technology available at our practice, to isolate and diagnose the nature of your dental needs.
Your general dentist sometimes refers patients for consultation when the diagnosis is complicated or when treatment is more difficult than normal. Aside from providing treatment, Dr. ‘s role is also that of educator. It is important that patients understand why they require treatment, what treatment involves and what they can do to ensure the best possible outcome. Dr. believes that a properly-informed patient has the best chance of achieving the optimal result.
What is Endodontics?
Endodontics is a branch of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association involving treatment of the pulp (root canal) and surrounding tissues of the tooth. When you look at your tooth in the mirror, what you see is the crown. The rest of the tooth, the portion hidden beneath the gum line, is called the root. Though the outer portion of the root is a hard tissue called dentin, the inside channel or “root canal” contains a pulp of soft tissue, blood vessels and nerves. Bacteria that are introduced into the pulp as a result of tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth fracture or other problems, can severely damage the pulp. When that happens, an endodontic specialist removes the diseased pulp to save the tooth and prevent further infection and inflammation. After successful endodontic treatment, the tooth continues to perform normally.
Why Would I Need Endodontic Treatment?
Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.
What are the Signs or Symptoms That I May Need Endodontic Treatment?
Signs to look for include:
- prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold
- tenderness to touch and chewing
- discoloration of the tooth, and
- swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gum tissues.
Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms.
I’m worried about x-rays. Should I be?
No. While x-rays will be necessary during your endodontic treatment, we use an advanced non-film computerized system, called digital radiography, that produces radiation levels up to 90 percent lower than those of already low-dose conventional dental x-ray machinery. These digital images can be optimized, archived, printed and sent to your general dentist electronically.
What about infection control?
Again, there’s no need for concern. We adhere to the most rigorous standards of infection control advocated by WISHA/OSHA, the Centers for Disease Control and the American Dental Association. We utilize autoclave sterilization and barrier techniques to eliminate any risk of infection.
What happens after treatment?
When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact his/her office for a follow-up restoration immediately after completion of treatment at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to respond to any concerns.
Will I Feel Pain During or After the Procedure?
Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that having a root canal treatment today is as unremarkable as having a cavity filled.
For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feelsensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Please follow Dr. ‘s instructions carefully.
Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days, call our office at once.
What new technologies are being used?
Operating Microscopes and 3-D Imaging
In addition to digital radiography, we utilize special operating microscopes. Magnification and fiber optic illumination are helpful in aiding Dr. to see tiny details inside your tooth. Also, a tiny video camera on the operating microscope can record images of your tooth to further document Dr. ‘s findings.
Please visit the 3-D Imaging page for more information on this exciting technology!