In addition to general dental care, our endodontic specialist performs advanced procedures to save your natural teeth and relieve pain. These specialized procedures that we provide in our practice focus on treating the interior of the tooth, specifically the pulp and root canal system, to preserve your natural smile and maintain optimal oral health.
Root Canal Therapy
The most common endodontic procedure, root canal therapy is used to treat infected or severely inflamed pulp inside a tooth. When bacteria enter the tooth through deep decay, repeated dental procedures, or trauma, the pulp becomes infected and causes significant pain. This procedure involves carefully removing the infected tissue, thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the root canal system, and then sealing it to prevent further infection. Root canal therapy not only relieves pain but also saves your natural tooth, allowing you to maintain proper chewing function and avoid the need for tooth extraction and more complex replacement procedures.
Root Canal Retreatment
Sometimes a previously treated tooth may not heal properly or new problems may arise months or even years after successful treatment. Root canal retreatment is performed when a previous root canal has failed, symptoms persist, or new infection develops. During this procedure, the old filling materials and posts are carefully removed, the canal system is thoroughly cleaned and examined again for additional canals or unusual anatomy, and then resealed with new materials. Retreatment gives your tooth a second chance to heal and can often save a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted.
Endodontic Surgery
When nonsurgical root canal treatment is not sufficient to save your tooth, endodontic surgery may be recommended. An apicoectomy is a microsurgical treatment that involves making a small incision in the gum tissue to expose the underlying bone and root tip. The infected tissue and the tip of the root are removed, and the root end is sealed with a biocompatible material. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia with the aid of a surgical microscope for precision. Surgical exposure of root surfaces may also be necessary to access and treat root fractures or perforations that cannot be addressed through conventional treatment.
Endodontic Diagnosis & Pain Evaluation
Tooth pain can be complex and sometimes difficult to diagnose, as pain may be referred from other teeth or structures. Our comprehensive assessment includes detailed examination for unexplained tooth pain, temperature sensitivity, pressure sensitivity, or referred pain that may originate from dental sources. Using advanced diagnostic techniques including electric pulp testing, thermal testing, and percussion testing, we can accurately identify the source of your discomfort. This thorough evaluation ensures that the correct tooth receives treatment and helps avoid unnecessary procedures on healthy teeth.
CBCT (3D Imaging) for Diagnosis
Advanced three-dimensional imaging technology provides detailed views of root canals, surrounding bone structure, and dental pathology that cannot be seen with traditional two-dimensional X-rays. CBCT imaging allows us to visualize complex root anatomy, identify additional canals, detect root fractures, and assess the extent of infection or inflammation in surrounding tissues. This advanced diagnostic tool significantly improves treatment planning accuracy and helps predict treatment outcomes, ensuring you receive the most appropriate and effective care for your specific condition.
Temporary Fillings
Following root canal treatment, a temporary filling is placed to seal the access cavity created during the procedure. This temporary restoration protects the tooth from bacterial contamination and prevents food debris from entering the treated root canal system. The temporary filling maintains the sterile environment within the tooth until you can return to your general dentist for placement of a permanent restoration, such as a crown or large filling. It’s important to avoid chewing on hard foods with the temporary filling and to schedule your follow-up appointment promptly to ensure optimal treatment success.
Core Build-Ups
After root canal treatment, teeth often require significant structural rebuilding before they can support a final crown restoration. A core build-up is a foundational restoration placed inside and on top of the tooth to replace lost tooth structure caused by decay, previous fillings, or the root canal access preparation. Using strong, tooth-colored composite materials or specialized core materials, we rebuild the tooth to provide adequate support and retention for your final crown. This procedure ensures that your crown will have a solid foundation and optimal long-term success, restoring both function and appearance to your treated tooth.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi sed massa quis felis fermentum tincidunt. In vitae nulla porta, placerat orci eu, imperdiet ipsum. Mauris pellentesque lorem commodo, interdum tortor et, pulvinar tortor. Vivamus a suscipit nulla, at tristique ligula. Aliquam erat volutpat. Proin porttitor turpis eget suscipit maximus.
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