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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 is 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.
  • What about infection?
    • Again, there's no need for concern. We adhere to the most rigorous standards of infection control advocated by 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 their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion 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.

  • What new technologies are being used?
    • We utilize special operating microscopes. Magnification and fiber optic illumination are helpful in aiding the doctor to see tiny details inside your tooth. We can also take magnified image of your tooth and send to your dentist

    Apex Locators: We utilize advanced electronic root-length measuring technology to insure accuracy of instrumentation. These devices work by calculating resistivity of tooth structure to provide a pictoral and audible signal indicating root length.

  • Why do I feel discomfort after treatment?
    • The root canal system inside your tooth has been thoroughly cleaned, and the irritated tissue and bacteria that have caused you to need root canal treatment are gone.It is normal to feel some tenderness in the area over the next few days as your body undergoes the natural healing process. You may also feel some tenderness in your jaw from keeping it open for an extended period of time. These symptoms are temporary and usually respond very well to over-the-counter pain medications. It is important for you to follow the instructions on how to take these medications. Remember that narcotic medications, if prescribed, may make you drowsy, and caution should be exercised in operating dangerous machinery or driving a car after taking them.

  • Why my tooth is discolored?
    • Bacterial, mechanical, or chemical irritation to the pulp may result in tissue necrosis and release of tissue disintegration by-products. These compounds may penetrate tubules and discolor the surrounding dentin. The degree of discoloration is directly related to how long the pulp has been necrotic. The longer the discoloration compounds are present in the pulp chamber, the deeper is the penetration into the dentinal tubules and the greater is the discoloration. Such discoloration is usually bleached intracoronally.

  • Will my tooth become more brittle and more suspect to fracture after endodontic treatment?
    • Endodontically-treated teeth do not experience a significant loss of moisture following root canal treatment. In addition, evaluation of the biomechanical properties of endodontically treated teeth indicate that they do not become brittle. However, loss of significant portions of the tooth structure, such as marginal ridges and cuspal architecture, play a significant role in the weakening of the root-filled tooth. Therefore, it is very important to return to your dentist to have the tooth restored permanently to decrease the risk of fracture and reinfection of your tooth.