What is endodontics?
Endodontics is a branch of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association, which entails 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 known as 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 this happens, an endodontic specialist removes the diseased pulp in order to save the tooth and prevent further infection and inflammation.
After successful endodontic treatment, the tooth is both pain-free and infection-free.
Who is an Endodontist?
An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in treating and handling dental problems that involve the nerve tissue and blood vessels located inside the tooth. If the tooth pulp, which contains nerves, vessels, lymphatic tissue, and fibrous tissue, becomes diseased or injured, endodontic treatment is required to save the tooth.
After completing four years of dental school, endodontists complete an extra two or more years of specialty postgraduate training through a hospital or university-based program accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA).
I’m worried about X-Rays. Should I be?
No. Radiographs, better known as 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 then sent to co-therapists via e-mail or diskette. For more information, contact Schick Technologies, Inc.
What about infection?
Again, there’s no cause for concern. We adhere to the most rigorous standards of infection control advocated by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), and the ADA (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 report of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact his or her office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion with us. Your restorative dentist will then 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?
Operating Microscopes
In addition to digital radiography, we utilize special operating microscopes. Magnification and fiber-optic illumination are helpful in aiding the doctor to see tiny details inside your tooth. Also, a tiny video camera on the operating microscope can record images of your tooth to document the doctor’s findings further.
Cone-Beam Computerized Radiology
Soon, we will be offering our patients Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) technology, which is quickly becoming the standard of care when it comes to dental imaging.
Quick, Comfortable, Effective
CBCT images are highly detailed, and show both soft and hard tissue without sacrificing clarity. They take less than a minute, are completely painless, and the radiation dose is 100 times less than a traditional CT scanner.
We can analyze the position and orientation of critical structures, such as nerves, teeth roots, the sinus, and nose, which helps to make your diagnosis as accurate as possible.
With this advanced imaging technology, we will be able to ensure the long-term stability of your dental restorations better than ever. It will allow us to focus on your desired aesthetic outcome throughout your entire treatment process.