From routine to complex root canals, Endodontic Associates, LTD. is equipped to handle all your endodontic needs. To help you understand your options, we've included descriptions of some of our leading services on this page.
What is Endodontic Treatment?
Endodontic treatment, commonly called "root canal treatment", is a common dental procedure that can be required when the tooth is infected or inflamed, or when the tooth is significantly compromised prior to its proper restoration with a filling or a crown. An endodontic treatment consists of thoroughly cleaning the internal part of the tooth (known as pulp chamber, or root canal) and sealing the space with a sterile material that will prevent re-infection.
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Endodontic Procedures:
Root canal therapy:
After reviewing your history, your doctor will complete an examination to determine if a root canal procedure is appropriate. This will include x-rays and tests to determine the cause of your discomfort. A local anesthetic is administered to numb the tooth and a "dental dam" is placed to isolate the tooth during treatment. The doctor makes an opening in the crown of the tooth, then uses small instruments to clean and shape the root canal space, removing any pulp tissue or infection. Next the canals are sealed with a rubber-`like material called gutta-percha and a sealing cement A temporary filling is then placed. Many endodontic procedures can be completed in a single visit, but sometimes multiple visits may be required.
You will need to have a permanent restoration completed by your regular dentist after the completion of endodontic therapy.
After treatment, some soreness is normal and should be controlled by over the counter medications. Occasionally there may be more discomfort. In this situation you should contact our office.
Endodontic Retreatment:
While endodontic treatment is generally very predictable, approximately 5 to 10% of treated teeth may need some addtional care in the future. Endodontic retreatment involves removing the sealing materials from a previously treated tooth, recleaning and disinfecting the canals, then resealing the canals. This procedure often saves teeth than might otherwise require extraction.
Surgical Endodontic Treatment:
In some cases, traditional root canal therapy may not be possible or may not succeed. In these situations, surgical treatment of the tooth may be possible. Surgical treatments include
Apicoectomy, Root amputation and Hemisectioning of teeth.
Apicoectomy
involves making a surgical incision in the gum and exposing the root tip(s) of the affected tooth. Any infected or diseased tissue is removed and the root canal sealed by placing a filling in the end of the root.
Root amputation
is performed when a single root of a multirooted tooth cannot be saved due to fracture or periodontal (gum) disease. An incision is made to expose the root needing treatment. The root is separated from the portion of the tooth to be retained and the root fragment is then removed.
Hemisectioning
is similar to root amputation but part of the crown of the tooth is removed with the diseased root.
