An endodontist is a “root canal” specialist defined from the American Board of Endodontists as a dental specialist in the treatment of diseases and injuries to the dental pulp, root and surrounding tissues of the teeth. Endodontists receive two or more years of advanced education after dental school.
Although all general dentists are trained to perform root canals, some teeth can be especially difficult to diagnose and treat. Endodontists are trained to handle the routine to the most complex root canal cases.
Root Canals
The root canal is the space inside the tooth. The space extends from the level of the crown (pulp chamber) to the tip of the roots. The pulp tissue which occupies this space is made up of blood vessels , nerves and connective tissue. The pulp tissues are responsible for the development of the tooth. Once a tooth is fully mature, it can survive without the pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.
The pulp or “nerve” tissues can become damaged, inflamed or infected, often times from a cavity or injury. If the pulp tissues die then this space becomes infected which may lead to tooth loss. The main reason to do root canal therapy is to save the tooth. The endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp tissues and cleans and shapes the inside of the root canal. The root canal then is filled with a material called gutta percha and this seals the space.
GentleWave
Our offices also offer the GentleWave® Procedure, an innovative alternative to standard root canal treatment. It presents a major advancement that helps us achieve our goal to effectively clean a tooth’s entire root canal system, no matter how complex.
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DIAGNOSIS OF ORAL PAIN
When a patient presents with a tooth pain “toothache” it can often be very difficult to localize the origin of pain. For example a “cracked teeth” often presents with symptoms that make it very difficult to localize. It is not uncommon that the pain due to a root canal problem often is felt in another tooth and or in the head, neck, or ear. We are specialists with advanced training to help diagnose and treat this type of pain.
TRAUMA
Sometime a fall or accidental blow to the mouth may cause a tooth to become dislodged or knocked loose. For example, an injury to a child's permanent tooth that is not fully developed can effect the normal development of the tooth. A procedure called Apexification may be recommended to help save the tooth. It is very important that all traumatic injuries to the teeth are addressed in a timely manner. Endodontists are specially trained to treat root canal situations with traumatic origin. Sometimes due to trauma a tooth may become discolored. Endodontists perform internal bleaching of the tooth to return the tooth to its natural shade.
RETREATEMENT
Occasionally, root canal treatment may not relieve a patients symptoms or heal completely. Endodontists are specifically trained to diagnose and treat your existing root canal situation to try and promote healing.
SURGICAL ENDODONTICS
Sometimes a surgical approach may be necessary if a non surgical root canal procedure alone cannot save your tooth. The most common surgical treatment is called an apicoectomy procedure. In this microsurgical procedure, the endodontist makes a window in the gum tissue near the tooth and removes any inflamed or infected tissues associated with the tooth . The endodontist sections the end of the root and seals the root. A few sutures are placed to help healing. Most patients return to normal activities the following day.